Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:422 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider eliminating the need for students to have honours Irish in their leaving certificate to qualify for teacher training. [3573/02]
Written Answers. - Teacher Training.
As part of the minimum academic requirements specified by my Department for entry to primary teacher training, all candidates, including school leavers, mature students and university graduates, must have a minimum of a grade C in higher level Irish in the leaving certificate or an approved equivalent. This requirement embodies both the written and oral element of a student's proficiency in Irish. My Department considers it to be the minimum standard in Irish necessary for students entering a teacher training course which will equip them to teach Irish to pupils at all levels in primary schools.
Requirements in this area are kept under review by my Department in consultation with the authorities of the colleges of education, which specialise in the training of primary teachers. In the majority of cases, persons wishing to train as secondary teachers complete the higher diploma in education. There is no leaving certificate requirement in Irish specified for entry to this course.