I assume that the Deputy is referring to posts in PLC colleges which were reclassified from teacher to tutor on the commencement of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act on 28 January 2014. Section 30 provides that teachers in recognised schools must be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid by the State (save in limited, exceptional circumstances). In the lead-up to the commencement of section 30, it was recognised that there were posts in certain subject areas which were occupied by people who were not qualified teachers but whose posts had traditionally been classified as teaching posts. In some such cases, teaching qualifications are not required or appropriate. In other cases, a primary degree or equivalent qualification recognised by the Teaching Council in the subject area in question may not be available, giving rise to concerns about the ongoing supply of qualified staff. There are, therefore, posts that can be filled by people with appropriate qualifications or experience without an approved teaching qualification. It is in the educational interests of students that the people delivering the courses have appropriate qualifications or experience, and it is in the public interest that such courses and activities can continue.
In this regard, certain posts (including posts in PLC colleges) were reclassified as tutor posts and are therefore no longer regarded as teaching posts. The holders of these posts are not subject to the requirements of section 30. PLC courses/modules re-designated to be delivered by a tutor include Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, Security Studies, Animal Care/Grooming and First Aid. Persons employed in these posts at the date of commencement of section 30 retained their current rate of pay and their current terms and conditions of employment. New appointees will be paid as tutors.
