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Teaching Qualifications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004

Tuesday, 17 February 2004

Ceisteanna (201, 202)

Paudge Connolly

Ceist:

286 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of teacher scarcity, he proposes to review the Scrúdú Cáilíochta na Gaeilge requirement for teachers trained outside the State, to provide a more achievable exam based on the standard of Irish required in the primary classroom; if he will reconsider the five year time limit to ensure continuity of employment and job security for teachers in the system; if he will examine the Irish requirement for non-national resource and special needs teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4654/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

321 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious problem that teachers who have trained outside the Republic of Ireland have in regard to the requirements of his Department to pass their exams to qualify for full Irish status; his views on the fact that the standard of the exam is far above what is necessary within the classroom and the fact that people who have attended Gaelscoils and hold honours degrees in the Irish language have in the past failed this exam; his further views on the fact that there is no clear syllabus set out for teachers to follow; if he will reconsider this situation and bring in a realistic structure so that teachers who are very necessary to our system and have good qualifications otherwise, are not debarred from school structures and a proper payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4963/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 321 together.

I established a working group to review all aspects of the syllabus and examination for the Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge in 2001. The report of the working group was recently submitted to me. Issues dealt with in the report include the content and format of the examination modules, the standard of the examinations and the period of provisional recognition granted to applicants within which they are expected to pass the SCG. The report is currently under consideration and decisions in relation to the recommendations contained in it will be taken in due course.

The review group has drafted an interim syllabus. The redrafted syllabus was circulated to all schools in December 2002 and the SCG examinations held on 29, 30 and 31 October 2003 were the first series of SCG examinations to be based on this syllabus.

The review group has also drafted a handbook for the examination. The handbook will contain detailed information on the SCG and will provide answers to a wide range of questions raised by candidates. It is also planned to produce a textbook of relevant prose and poetry for future examinations.

Courses of study aimed specifically at candidates for the SCG examination are run by a number of Education Centres throughout the country. The level at which courses are provided is dependent on the demand. Copies of past examination papers, including tapes of the aural examinations, are available on request from primary administration section 1 of my Department in Athlone as is a copy of the interim syllabus for the SCG examinations, which was circulated to all schools in December, 2002 and which included a reading list of prose and poetry to be studied for the examinations.

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