Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
142. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the position regarding the revised arrangements for teacher training and in particular the impact of the announced changes of students currently pursuing or intent on pursuing courses with private teacher training colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40224/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of initial teacher education. The purpose of the report, which I requested, was to identify new possible structures to improve initial teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world. The international panel of education experts who prepared the report recommended that teacher education be provided in six "centres for teacher education". The new collaborations recommended will mean that a smaller number of publicly funded centres for ITE exist, but that they offer education across multiple sectors from early childhood to primary, to post primary to adult education. These centres will also possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity which is not always possible in smaller institutions.
Only publicly funded HEIs are included in the proposed new collaborations. Private providers of ITE exist outside this framework but are subject to the same accreditation requirements by the Teaching Council. There are no immediate impacts for students presently pursuing or intent on pursuing courses with private teacher training colleges. However, the report also makes various comments and recommendations on matters such as overall teacher supply and I intend to explore these further with the HEA, the Teaching Council, and the initial teacher education providers, as appropriate.
