Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
93 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science if an Irish student accepts a place on a UK-recognised GTP course, if the qualification at the end of the course will be recognised here; if so, the requirements to be met and the way in which it is validated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe course of study referred to by the Deputy has not been granted general recognition for the purpose of teaching in this State.
The Registration Council is the statutory body which determines, with the approval of the Minister for Education and Science, the qualification requirements for the purpose of registration as a secondary teacher. The council prescribes that each applicant for registration as a secondary teacher must, among other requirements, hold a relevant third level qualification which in the opinion of the council, is adequate to enable the holder to teach at least one of the approved subjects or areas of study approved for the purpose of a course of instruction as set out in the rules and programme for secondary schools together with a suitable training in teaching qualification acceptable to the council which is directed towards the age range 12 to eight years.
Applications for the recognition of qualifications for the purpose of registration are considered by the council at meetings which take place on a periodic basis. In order for the council to assess the suitability of qualifications for teaching purposes, full details of the courses of study pursued must be submitted. If the person to whom the Deputy refers makes contact with the secretariat of the Registration Council at the offices of my Department in Athlone, he or she will be advised as to how to apply for recognition of the qualifications in question. The provisions applying to recognition of qualifications gained outside the State for the purpose of teaching in national schools are set out in my Department's circular No. 25/00 which is available from the primary teachers' section of my Department in Athlone or can be viewed on the Department's website www.education.ie.
