Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
65. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the spend by her Department on improving school leadership and in delivering in-service training to teachers; the proportion of teacher payroll which it represents; and her plans to increase that ratio over her term in office in a significant manner. [17962/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key objective for my Department is to develop the continuum of teacher education to equip teachers with the right skills for 21st century teaching and learning and improve school leadership. The quality of our teaching profession is a critical factor in sustaining and enhancing the quality of education outcomes.
The Department promotes the quality of teaching and learning through the provision of continuing professional development (CPD) and supports for teachers and principals. The professional development needs of serving teachers in recent years have been addressed through the provision of an induction programme for newly-qualified teachers, dedicated support for school leaders, national CPD for curricular and policy reform, and ongoing support for teachers.
The Department ensures that a range of high-quality models of CPD is provided to teachers and school leaders through its support services, the national network of Education Centres and appropriate groups, bodies and institutions who are empowered to design, develop and deliver CPD programmes.
Funding provided for CPD for primary and post-primary teachers and school leaders in 2019 was €31.887m. It should also be noted that an additional investment in the region of €34m annually is also provided to support the ongoing secondment and substitution costs associated with CPD provision.
This investment in professional learning represents approximately 1.8% as a proportion of my Department centralised teacher payroll spend in 2019.
Specifically in the area of leadership a key focus for the Department in recent years has been to build the professional practice of teachers with a focus on collaboration and supporting school leaders. My Departments support services have dedicated teams within both JCT and PDST providing support to lead teaching and learning in schools. My Department also funds the Centre for School Leadership (CSL) established in 2015 which presents a unique opportunity for the development of a coherent continuum of professional development for school leaders. It is the shared objective that the Centre will become a centre of excellence for school leadership. Through CSL, leaders through the continuum of their leadership journey are supported through a post graduate for aspiring leaders, mentoring for newly appointed leaders, coaching for established leaders and cluster support for school leadership teams. My Department also supports the provision of professional learning through both IPPN and NAPD. The total investment in leadership, including personnel and substitution is in the region of €5m annually.
As set out in the recent Programme for Government, there is a commitment to continue to develop innovative measures to support school leadership and the quality of teaching, informed by data and a focus on student learning and potential.
