Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.
Seán Crowe
Ceist:
214
Mr. Crowe
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the courses and training available to primary and secondary teachers and student teachers to prepare them for teaching children with special needs; his views on whether this is sufficient to meet the increased demands that will be made on teachers as a result of the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26668/03]
Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Dempsey)
It is the policy of my Department that all teachers working with children with special needs will have relevant training and continuing professional development. In this regard, the existing full-time pre-service primary teacher training courses in the colleges of education contain appropriate elements to assist the student teachers in recognising and dealing with children with special educational needs. At second level there are inputs to both the higher diploma in education and the education degree programmes in the University of Limerick as part of a general alertness orientation programme on the variety of learning difficulties which pupils may have.
There has been a major increase in the past number of years in the level of additional teaching resources made available by my Department to schools to assist them in catering for children with special educational needs. To meet the inservice training and professional development needs of these teachers, my Department has put in place a comprehensive strategy which involves a major expansion of the range of postgraduate professional training programmes, the introduction of a range of new training programmes to provide a mix of intensive induction training and more advanced training in specific areas, the funding of a wide range of shorter courses, including on-line courses, for teachers on aspects of special education, and the establishment of a new special education support service.
Postgraduate Programmes
Postgraduate courses in special educational needs are provided in St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra, 50 places (primary); Church of Ireland Training College, Rathmines, 45 places (primary and post-primary); St. Angela's College, Sligo, 25 places (primary and post-primary); University College Dublin, 15 places (primary and post-primary); and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, 25 places (primary and post-primary). A postgraduate professional programme in autism is also provided in St. Patrick's Training College in association with the University of Birmingham and 75 teachers have undertaken this programme to date. In addition, a postgraduate programme in learning support is provided in St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra; Church of Ireland Training College, Rathmines; St. Angela's College, Sligo; Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; NUI Galway; and NUI Cork. There are 25 places per college, giving a total of 150 places.
Induction Programmes and Advanced Training in Specific Areas of Special Education
A nationwide induction-introductory programme for resource teachers is delivered by St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra; Church of Ireland Training College, Rathmines; St. Angela's College, Sligo; and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. St. Patrick's College also provides induction courses for teachers working with children with severe-profound learning disabilities.
Shorter Courses (including On-Line Courses) on Aspects of Special Education
Up to now my Department has provided funding for a wide range of shorter courses for teachers in the special needs area. These are mainly provided through the network of education centres, through teachers' organisations and through the programme of summer courses for primary teachers. In this regard, four e-learning courses were provided on a pilot basis during July and August of this year for teachers in the areas of autism, dyslexia, Inclusion and ADHD. The courses were successfully delivered on-line and more than 900 teachers availed of them. These on-line courses are also available to teachers during this autumn term. Much of the work involved in the support of personnel working with children with special educational needs is now being devolved to the new special education support service which has the responsibility to co-ordinate provision in this area.
Special Education Support Service
The special education support service will consolidate and co-ordinate existing inservice provision at local level for personnel working with children with special educational needs. It will further explore various models of inservice and support for teachers in the classroom and will also work co-operatively with colleges of education and other agencies to maximise the effects of training and support across the spectrum.
The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill
The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2003 provides for the National Council for Special Education to advise me on the resources that will be required and the steps that must be taken to implement the Bill over a period not exceeding five years from the establishment of the council under the Bill. Any issues that arise in the context of the advice provided by the council that have implications for teacher training and continuing professional development will be considered in due course.
