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Third Level Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (153, 169, 182)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

153. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if concerns outlined in correspondence from a person (details supplied) on requirements for master of education completion will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8360/20]

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Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

169. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to difficulties for professional masters of education in primary school teaching students of a college (details supplied) in completing an alternative Gaeltacht placement due to the prevalence of mature students with families, the Covid-19 pandemic and the coinciding requirements to complete academic work in April 2020; and the steps he plans to take to engage with students from the college in order to achieve a resolution. [8434/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Frank Feighan

Ceist:

182. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 309 and 376 of 20 May 2020, if the matter (details supplied) will be investigated and students advised in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8596/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 169 and 182 together.

I understand that the Deputies are referring to the Gaeltacht Learning Period which must be fulfilled by students who are currently in the second year of the primary Professional Master of Education and due to graduate in 2021.

Completion of the Gaeltacht placement is an important element of programmes of initial teacher education for primary teachers and therefore a requirement for registration with the Teaching Council.

As you may be aware, my Department and the Teaching Council issued a joint statement on 23 March 2020 advising that in light of the emergency measures being adopted in relation to Covid-19, students who are in the final year of their Initial Teacher Education programme will not be required to complete the usual Gaeltacht Learning Period in order to graduate in summer 2020.

In the case of student teachers in all other years of their ITE programme, the Gaeltacht requirement is being postponed, to be fulfilled at a later point in the programme. It will be a matter for each Higher Education Institution (HEI) to examine the available options in terms of rescheduling Gaeltacht placements for students. My Department will continue to liaise with the HEIs on this matter to ensure that clarity if provided for students.

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