Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2010
249 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the Teaching Council refuses to recognise the City and Guilds further and adult education teachers certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7443/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the recognition of teacher qualifications is now a matter for the Teaching Council, the body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining standards in the teaching profession. The Teaching Council considers applications to be registered as a teacher in the further education sector under Regulation 5 of the Teaching Council Registration Regulations, which I approved in November 2009. For the purpose of registration under regulation 5, the Council requires that an applicant have a primary degree or equivalent which is considered suitable. There is currently no general requirement for a further and adult education teacher's certification from the City and Guilds or any other awarding body for the purposes of registration.
The Council has set out a requirement in Regulation 5 that applicants wishing to register under that regulation will have to have an accredited teacher education qualification from 1 April 2013. The Council is currently consulting with the 3rd level colleges and other relevant stakeholders with a view to setting down a framework and criteria for the accreditation of a teacher education qualification for teachers in the FE sector. I would recommend that persons with queries as to recognition of qualifications should make direct contact with the Council.
