Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I would like to focus on teaching standards and refer to the draft report produced by the Minister. It states: "However, we cannot assume that all Irish primary teachers are proficient in the teaching of literacy and numeracy or that they continue to upskill themselves." That is a shocking and damning statement about the system. How much has been invested in teachers? They have spent at least three years in college, yet we cannot assume they are proficient in the teaching of literacy and numeracy. The report of the Department's chief inspector, Dr. Harold Hislop, states, "The teaching approaches used need to be addressed, the preparation undertaken by teachers-----

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