Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

David Stanton

Ceist:

403 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the United Kingdom qualified teacher status is recognised in any way here; the position of a teacher who holds a BA from the NUI in English and History and also holds the Higher Diploma in Education qualification along with the qualified teacher status regarding recognition to each in primary schools here; the further requirements this person must satisfy in order to be able to teach here; the further plans he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15840/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

At primary level, teachers are class teachers rather than subject specialists and must be qualified to teach the range of primary school subjects to children aged four to 12 years. In order to be fully recognised to teach at primary level in this country, teachers must have undertaken a recognised primary teaching training course and possess a recognised primary teaching qualification. Such a qualification can usually be achieved by a person graduating from one of the recognised teacher training courses in the colleges of education, including the post-graduate conversion courses, or by a primary teacher trained abroad achieving the necessary level of competence in the Irish language.

On the basis of the information supplied by the Deputy, it appears that the teacher in question qualified as a second level teacher in this country, but has obtained qualified teacher status in the United Kingdom to teach at primary level. In such circumstances, my Department would need to be provided with details of the appropriate conversion course undertaken by the teacher in the United Kingdom to ensure that the teacher is now appropriately qualified to teach in primary schools in this country. Qualified second level teachers who trained in this State and who have not undergone a postgraduate conversion course to qualify as a primary teacher are not accepted for the purpose of recognition to teach in a permanent capacity in primary schools.