Written answers

Thursday, 5 May 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Teaching Qualifications

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the planned phasing out of regulation 3, which gives full recognition to Montessori teachers trained by the Association Montessori Internationale, by the St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland and those trained outside the Republic of Ireland, to teach in special schools, special classes, and resource classes; if she has been involved in talks on plans to reverse this decision; if she will consider such a reversal, given the added value provided by Montessori-trained teachers in these contexts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9280/16]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Teaching Council is, since 2006, the body with statutory responsibility and authority for regulation of the teaching profession including the registration of teachers under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015.

The Teaching Council's pathways to registration were set out initially in the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations 2009, under which graduates with certain Montessori qualifications (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) met the requirements of Regulation 3 (Montessori and other categories).

Further to publication of its draft revised registration regulations in 2014, which reflected current policy to provide for a fully qualified teaching profession through the register of teachers, and significant stakeholder engagement, the Teaching Council intends to provide for persons currently registered with the Council under Regulation 3 on the basis of holding a level 8 Montessori qualification. The Council also intends to allow for the registration of persons who obtain a level 8 Montessori qualification, where the course was commenced on or before 1 October 2016 and the qualification is obtained before the end of 2021.

The Department has no plans to change the current position whereby teachers who are registered with a level 8 Montessori qualification under Regulation 3 (or its equivalent in the new regulations) are eligible for employment as teachers of pupils with special education needs in recognised mainstream primary schools and special schools.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.