Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2008
6 Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on a newspaper article (details supplied) regarding the issue of bogus teachers taking up teaching positions in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44203/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am concerned by the newspaper report to which the Deputy refers. This matter serves as a timely reminder of the importance of carrying out adequate checks when school staff are being recruited. The recruitment and selection of staff whether for teaching or other positions in a school rests with boards of management, as employers. Good practice should involve the checking of recent employment records, qualifications, experience and names of referees. While many substitute teachers have previous experience of working in schools and may be known to the authorities in particular schools, there is clearly a heightened requirement for vigilance in checking the prior employment record where the person seeking employment is not known to the school or is approaching it for the first time. Good practice is warranted in any event, regardless of the specific issue with regard to safeguarding against any child protection risk.
In the context of child protection, the arrangements for vetting of teaching and non-teaching staff are set out in Department circular 0094/2006, which issued to all schools in June 2006. This circular is available on my Department's website. The arrangements for vetting new teachers at the time of their initial registration with the Teaching Council — regardless of whether they are likely to enter permanent employment or take up appointments as substitute or part-time teachers — were introduced in 2006. The procedures also apply to prospective employees for posts that involve working with children, such as those relating to special needs assistants, bus drivers, bus escorts for children with special needs, caretakers and other ancillary staff in schools.
As the expansion of service by the Garda vetting unit is rolled out, my Department will be consulting the relevant education stakeholders on how best to introduce vetting of existing teachers that are working in any capacity — permanent, part-time or substitute — in the school system and other existing education staff working with children. The circular requires the vetting of any person being appointed to a teaching position — whether permanent, part-time or substitute — who has not been employed in the school system in the previous three years.
Irrespective of the position on vetting by the Garda vetting unit, where facts or information come to a board of management's attention calling into question a person's suitability to work with children, it is a matter for the board to be satisfied that the person is suitable to work in that capacity. The position will naturally have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. A board of management will be obliged to consider the various circumstances of the case, give due weight to all relevant factors and afford fair procedures to the individual concerned before making a decision.
I am extremely concerned by the blasé, hands-off attitude displayed by the Minister in respect of this serious incident, which was reported in The Sunday Times. Two journalists were able to use aliases in order to gain entry to a school and teach two separate classes. Neither their qualifications nor their standing as teachers was checked by the authorities at the school. The Minister has adopted a kind of hands-off approach and stated that this is a matter for schools and that schools must be aware of the contents of the 2006 circular from his Department. Is he not concerned that someone who does not possess any relevant qualifications can log on to a website, gain entry to a school and then teach 20 or 30 students?
In his initial reply, the Minister commented on vetting. I did not inquire about that matter. However, in the case to which I refer, there was no indication that the two people involved were qualified teachers. Is the Minister concerned about this matter? What further measures does he intend to put in place to ensure that incidents of this kind will not happen in the future? Would it not be sensible for his Department to be involved in the construction of a system that would guarantee that substitute teachers possess the requisite qualifications. Will the Minister treat this issue with greater seriousness?
I would not like the Deputy to impute that I am in any way not treating this matter seriously. I was quite concerned by the newspaper article to which the Deputy referred. This matter serves as a timely reminder of the importance of carrying out adequate checks when school staff are being recruited. I have asked my officials to bring to the attention of all schools the difficulties to which this case has given rise. As already stated, all schools must, as employers, be vigilant in this area.
Schools must be made aware of the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN, website, which contains a "text-a-sub" service. It would be appropriate that any school taking on a substitute teacher who is not known to it would, in the first instance, require that details of his or her teaching qualifications be provided. As the Deputy is aware, all teachers are obliged to register with the Teaching Council. It would also be appropriate for the school to establish details of an individual's background in teaching. Every effort must be made to obtain the relevant information in order that it might be established that a substitute teacher's qualifications and behaviour reach the required standard.
I support Deputy Brian Hayes in respect of this matter and the Department's lack of alacrity and speed with regard to dealing with bogus institutions advertising themselves as universities. Deputy Brian Hayes and I are stating that the Department must be much more proactive in respect of these matters. The Minister cannot step back and state that these issues must be dealt with by schools. Some of the comments he made in his reply to Deputy Brian Hayes's supplementary question were of far more assistance than the information contained in his initial reply. I agree with the Minister in respect of the IPPN, which is an excellent organisation. In the context of bogus universities, which do terrible damage to the third level sector in this country, and bogus or unqualified teachers, is there not an onus on the Department to move from first gear straight to top gear in the context of becoming more proactive?
Deputy Quinn will accept that the Department cannot micromanage schools and that schools are responsible for employing teachers. I take very seriously our responsibility to emphasise to all schools the importance of vetting all applicants.
I recently took part in a trade mission to China.
We heard about it.
One of the issues raised with me during my visit was that relating to the status and standing of universities. I have decided that the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland will be given responsibility for registering all institutions that offer courses through their so-called international schools. We must ensure that the high quality of education provision associated with Ireland is maintained. I also intend to ensure that Enterprise Ireland will continue to have responsibility for marketing these international schools.
Will the Minister be introducing the education Ireland Bill?
I have decided not to introduce that legislation. Responsibility for registering international schools will be conferred on the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. I will set out clear parameters in respect of this matter. Enterprise Ireland is doing such a good job in the context of marketing that I am of the view that responsibility in this regard should remain with it. I know Deputy Brian Hayes would not like me to establish another quango.
Particularly when teachers are losing their jobs. Does the Minister believe it is good enough that an excellent organisation such as the IPPN must devise a website and system to ensure we have an adequate supply of qualified substitute teachers? Is it not the responsibility of the Department to do this and to do so in a co-ordinated manner so that the Minister can guarantee the qualifications of the people who go into our schools as substitutes? Will the Minister give consideration to this matter?
In terms of the Minister's dialogue with the Teaching Council, will he provide the House with information in respect of the number of unqualified teachers currently in our primary school system?
The Teaching Council is responsible for registering teachers and ensuring they have the required qualifications to do their job. I am sure Deputy Brian Hayes is not suggesting I duplicate that process within the Department of Education and Science.
In respect of substitute teachers.
I am not going to do that.
I do not have with me the information in respect of the number of unqualified teachers currently in the system but I will forward it to the Deputy. We are anxious to ensure we reduce dramatically the number of unqualified teachers in our schools. Some of the unqualified teachers in our system have been doing excellent work. The schools in question are satisfied with them. However, it is far more appropriate to have a qualified rather than unqualified teacher acting as a substitute.
