Written Answers. - Untrained Teachers.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:
159
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the number of teaching days at primary level undertaken by untrained teachers for 1999; the comparative figure for 1998; the number of days worked by similar personnel at second level for these periods; his views on the fact that so many children are being taught by those without the required qualification; the steps, if any, being taken to reduce the use of personnel without teaching qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3188/00]
The information requested in relation to primary level will be forwarded to the Deputy. The information in relation to the number of untrained teachers employed in second level schools is not available. It is Department policy that, in as far as is possible, second level teachers should teach the subjects in which they are qualified.
A range of measures has been introduced to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers. The intake of trainee primary teachers to the colleges of education was increased substantially in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 sessions. The total projected intake in the 1999-00 academic year is 1,283 compared with an intake of 500 in 1996/97.
Between the 2000 and 2001 academic years it is projected that approximately 1,900 newly trained teachers shall graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated.
A number of other initiatives to reduce the number of untrained personnel have also been introduced. B.Ed graduates of St. Mary's College, Belfast who have studied Irish to honours level as an academic subject as part of their teaching qualification are now recognised as fully qualified.
Since September, 1998 all primary degree holders who hold the Higher Diploma in Education are paid as fully trained substitute teachers and in the current academic year those with grade C Irish in the leaving certificate higher paper are paid at the trained rate when employed in a temporary capacity.
Teachers with the Montessori qualification which is awarded on completion of the three year full-time course in the Association Montessori Internationale – AMI – College, Milltown, Dublin 14, and teachers trained in St. Nicholas, Dún Laoghaire, Montessori who have successfully completed the full-time course of at least three years duration which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards are also recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers.
The decision to recognise fully qualified teachers who trained outside the State to teach in certain categories of schools and classes without the necessity to hold an Irish language qualification is also contributing to an improvement in the supply of trained primary teachers.
