Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo what Senators Moran and Hayden said. Are there pressures on girls in school not to display academic ability? Is it unfashionable or otherwise? If so, that would be a serious loss of ability and talent. Last week, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, published a report on easing the transition from second level to third level, which might form the basis on which we could discuss these issues. The aspect which would concern me is that in contrast with Finland, we do not tie the qualifications of teachers to the subjects they teach. The step up from second level to third level, on which the Minister has reported, is difficult but to try to go from a subject where the teacher does not have a qualification in his or her degree to third level is an impossible gap to bridge and that should form part of the discussion. Arising from the report and from what Senators Hayden and Moran said, we could have a very worthwhile debate on that transition from second level to third level.

Is the higher diploma in education an appropriate qualification any longer? Should teachers not stay in their subject area and upgrade in mathematics or whatever rather than do a second year in the higher diploma in education, which is being considered currently? There has been much emphasis on administrative, financial and other aspects but academic and intellectual aspects count as well.

In Finland, a person has a masters degree in the subject he or she teaches. This is a widely admired model and perhaps the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, might examine it. I hope he will accept the invitation from both sides of the House to discuss the transition because the report is very important and it deserves a discussion.