Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:273 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will recognise Montessori education in the forthcoming Bill outlined in the Green Paper No. 67, 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5611/98]
Written Answers - Early Childhood Education.
The Education (No. 2) Bill, 1997, sets out a general framework for the structure and development of the education system. It does not provide for the specific recognition of any particular type of early childhood or other education, including Montessori education, nor would it be appropriate for a Bill of this kind to do so.
However, as the Deputy will be aware, teachers with the Montessori qualification, which is awarded on completion of the three year full time course in the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) College, Mount St. Mary's, Milltown, Dublin 14, are already recognised by my Department as qualified to teach in special shcools for students who are mentally handicapped, emotionally disturbed or hearing impaired. The Education Bill places particular emphasis on meeting the special educational needs of these and other students who may also have special needs. In addition, section 24 of the Bill provides for the numbers and qualifications of teachers of a school, who will be paid from moneys provided by the Oireachtas. Teachers with the Montessori qualification would come within the remit of this section and should there be any extension of the recognition of the Montessori qualification in the future, this would also come within the remit of section 24.
In addition, I recently announced the establishment of the National Forum on Early Childhood Education which will take place in Dublin Castle during the week beginning 23 March 1998. The forum will consider all aspects of early childhood education, including the Montessori method. The outcome of the forum will be an important input into a White Paper on early childhood education, work on which will commence after the conclusion of the forum.
I am sure you will appreciate for me to pre-empt the findings of the national forum by making any statement on the matter at this juncture.