Thomas Byrne
Ceist:44. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on recent reports that only six graduates are in training to be physics teachers. [51819/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 December 2017
Ceisteanna (44)
Freagraí scríofa
In 2016/17 and in 2017/18, I provided for the recruitment of in the region of 3,000 teachers at post-primary level. All of the 2016-2017 posts have been successfully filled and the process for filling the additional posts in the current year is almost complete. We are successfully filling the posts that we are making available.
The latest figures obtained by my Department from the higher education institutions offering post graduate initial teacher education programmes indicate that there are currently 21 students studying to qualify as teachers of Physics in these programmes. In addition, the Deputy should note that teachers of physics can qualify through a number of undergraduate initial teacher education programmes. Data on the numbers of students currently taking physics in these programmes is not readily available.
The Deputy should note also that, according to my Department’s records, approximately 540 schools are offering Physics as a leaving certificate subject in 2017 and there are 1,058 post primary teachers in total registered with the Teaching Council with Physics as their first subject. 40 teachers were registered for the first time by the Teaching Council as qualified to teach Physics as their first subject in 2017.
As part of the implementation of the STEM Strategy I am determined to deliver increased teacher supply in key priority areas. My officials are gathering and analysing baseline data. We are also assessing specific policy initiatives which can accelerate supply in critical areas. This would include measures to deliver a higher proportion of those entering initial teacher education at undergraduate or masters level in the priority areas; to upgrade the skills of existing teachers; to identify possible sources of qualified persons who are not now teaching.