Written answers

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Colleges Recognition

9:00 pm

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procurement procedures followed in the granting of ministerial approval to a college (details supplied) to operate in the field of primary teacher education; the reason this college has no cap on teacher training places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9892/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In 2003, the then Minister for Education and Science was the designated authority for recognition of qualifications for the purposes of employment for the regulated profession of primary teacher. Applications for recognition of qualifications were received by the Department from time to time, either from individual graduates or from institutions. The Qualifications (Education and Training Act) 1999 provided for the establishment of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Further and Higher Education and Training Awards Council for the accreditation of non-university education and training awards at further and higher levels.

In 2003, Hibernia College made an application to HETAC for validation of its Graduate Diploma in Primary Education in the format prescribed, setting out the programme objectives and outcomes, structure and outline content, assessment arrangements for learners, and facilities and staff expertise available. A panel of assessors examined the documentation and visited the college. The Programme Accreditation Committee of HETAC considered their report and accredited the programme. A certificate of course approval was issued in July 2003. As the Minister for Education and Science was the designated authority for recognition of qualifications for purposes of employment for the regulated profession of primary teacher, Hibernia College contacted the Department to ascertain whether this qualification would be recognised for the purpose of employment as a primary teacher. The Department considered the course proposal and the decision of the then Minister was that he would recognise the qualification of Graduate Diploma in Primary Education of Hibernia College for the purpose of employment as a primary teacher provided all of the conditions set by HETAC were met, including those relating to quality assurance. The Department did not procure the delivery of the course referred to by the Deputy but was approached by the college with its proposal. The college has not received any funding from the Department to run the course.

Hibernia College is a privately owned institution providing a privately run course. Neither my Department nor any other State body has a role in regulating the number of students enrolled by this privately run college. Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act has since come into force and the Teaching Council is now empowered to review and professionally accredit programmes of initial teacher education. It is open to any other providers to make an application for recognition if they so wish and any such application will be considered by the Teaching Council.

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