Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

291 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 13 June 2000 concerning a person (details supplied) Dublin 6W, he will state the reason the required number of advanced technical schools set examinations for the award of the art teachers certificate was not reduced from four to one in 1979 when circular letter 11/79 reduced the required number of advanced TS assessed examinations from four to one, and in view of the fact that circular letter 11/79 stated that the one advanced assessed examination required, that is, drawing was in lieu of the equivalent set examination in accordance with circular letter 23/74; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23617/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The change introduced by Circular 11/79 does not mean that, from 1980 onwards, a candidate had to secure a pass in one subject rather than in four for the purposes of award of the art teachers' certificate.

In accordance with the terms of Circular Letter 11/79 full-time students had the option of making a submission on one of the main areas of study – drawing, painting, sculpture, design, craft – and to submit a personal source diary and a thesis or making a submission in a main area of study, which could straddle more than one area as designated, in addition to subsidiary areas of study together with a personal source diary and a thesis.

The circular also stated that, as drawing was a basic tool in art, it should be an integral part of any submission under either option.

Under this revised process, a full-time student, whose work was being assessed, had to show a fuller expertise of acquired skills and a more developed and complete accomplishment in his-her work. The integration of the theoretical and historical with the practical was an increase in the quantity, quality and nature of what was required. A higher standard of attainment was required in line with the established art education norms of that time.

Reducing the number of advanced technical schools set examinations would amount to an unacceptable reduction in the qualification requirements for the award of the art teachers' certificate and was not an acceptable proposition.