Written Answers. - School Staffing.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:
674
Mr. Aylward
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the progress to date on the application by the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for a temporary teacher for September 2002.
[11198/02]
The staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The actual number of mainstream posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule, which is reviewed annually following discussions with the education partners.
The enrolment in this school was 165 pupils on 30 September 2001, which warrants a staffing of a principal plus five mainstream class teachers for the 2002-03 school year.
The only deviation from the agreed staffing arrangements is in the case of schools classified as "developing schools". The terms for obtaining a post as "developing school" are outlined in circular letter 9/02, a copy of which issued to the board of management of each school recently.
In the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, the enrolment required on 30 September 2002 to obtain a post as a developing school is 190 pupils. If the board of management of the school are confident that they meet the criteria for a "developing school" post as outlined in circular letter 9/02, they should submit the details to the primary branch of my Department.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:
675
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he will consider the needs of St. Michael's CBS, Inchicore, Dublin 8 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11209/02]
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:
676
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he will consider the needs of Francis Street CBS, Francis Street, Dublin 8 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11210/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 675 and 676 together.
I am aware that a number of primary schools are experiencing some difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers. The Government has taken effective action to boost substantially the supply of trained primary teachers and alleviate the current supply difficulties. As part of a range of initiatives to improve teacher supply, the intake to the B Ed programme in the colleges of education has been increased dramatically in recent years. Since 1999 more than 1,000 students have been admitted annually to the B Ed programme. This represents a doubling of the number admitted to the programme in 1996. The total intake to the colleges of education in the 2001-02 academic year was increased to a record 1,461. This compares with an intake of 500 in 1996-97. There are currently some 3,750 students enrolled and pursuing various stages of primary teacher training programmes in the colleges of education. The number of places made available on the graduate diploma courses since 1997 is 1,453. Between 2001 and 2002 it is projected that some 2,300 qualified primary teachers will graduate from the colleges of education. This represents a huge increase in the number of trained graduates as compared with 1995 when 291 graduated.
Other initiatives to increase the number of trained 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. Since September 2000, teachers employed in a tempor ary capacity holding a degree and the higher diploma in education, are paid on the trained basic scale for teachers.
Teachers trained in EU countries employed in primary schools are now remunerated at the trained rate, pending their obtaining the necessary competence in the Irish language. EU trained teachers now have up to five years to obtain the necessary competence in the language. In addition, for the period of two years from 1 September 2000, teachers trained outside the EU whose qualifications are accepted by my Department will be granted provisional recognition for five years on the same basis as EU trained teachers. Montessori trained teachers who successfully completed the full time course of three years duration at St. Nicholas, Dun Laoghaire, which is recognised by the National Council for Educational Awards, or the Montessori qualification which is awarded on completion of the three year full time course in the AMI College, are recognised as being fully qualified substitute teachers and are recognised to teach in certain categories of special schools and classes.
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.
All schools including schools classified as disadvantaged have gained from improvements to the staffing schedule in recent years. St. Michael's CBS and St. Francis CBS national schools have both got concessionary teaching posts on disadvantage grounds. The question of paying a further allowance to teachers based in disadvantaged schools is a matter which may be dealt with together with other pay related matters by the Teachers Conciliation Council. A teacher exchange scheme already exists in primary schools whereby a teacher may voluntarily exchange with a teacher in any other school. In-service provision is being offered by this Department to any existing or additional teacher appointed to tackle disadvantage under the "Breaking the Cycle" and "Giving Children an Even Break" schemes.
