Written answers

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Teaching Qualifications

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills despite their having specialised qualifications and years of industry and teaching experience, the reason some further education teachers are not able to register; if his attention has been drawn to the restrictive registration requirements, that is, that they must have a level 8 degree and a two-year diploma or Master's degree in Education before they may start teaching; if his attention has been drawn to the devastating effects this will have on the skills balance among staff in the further education sector which caters to local demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority for the registration of teachers.

The Council's Registration Regulations were published in 2009 and they replaced the protocols for the recognition of teachers in the Further Education Sector which were in use prior to that time. The regulations flagged an increase to the registration requirements which would come into effect on 1 April 2013 requiring that teachers in the Further Education sector had at least an ordinary level degree (Level 7 on the NFQ or equivalent) and relevant experience in addition to an accredited teaching qualification or equivalent. The Deputy might wish to note that the qualifications requirements governing the registration of primary and post-primary teachers also increased on the same date requiring an honours level degree and a recognised teaching qualification.

The Council maintains the view that teachers in all sectors should have a relevant degree and a teaching qualification to ensure a uniformity of experience and quality of education in all sectors. Under the current regulations, a teacher who has an ordinary level degree and three year's relevant workplace experience is eligible for registration on a conditional basis under Regulation 5 (Further Education) on the condition that they complete an accredited teaching qualification within three years of the date of registration. The Council has now accredited 10 programmes of teacher education for the Further Education sector. The majority of these are part time/distance learning and can therefore be undertaken by a teacher in employment.

The Council has noted that many applicants who were refused registration in the past six or so years have undertaken additional qualifications to meet the Council's registration criteria.

There are posts in certain subject areas in the further education sector that are occupied by people who are not qualified teachers but whose posts have traditionally been classified as teaching posts. In some cases these posts are teaching posts but in others teaching qualifications are not required or appropriate. In addition, a primary degree or equivalent qualification recognised by the Teaching Council in the particular subject area may not be available. As a response to this a number of posts in certain subject areas have been reclassified as tutor posts and are no longer regarded as teaching posts. The holders of these posts will not be subject to the requirements of Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act.

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