Eolas Ginearálta faoi Mhúineadh Iar-bhunscoilíochta in Éirinn agus Riachtanais Cháilíochta Múinteora sa Áireamh
- 1.Categories of Post-Primary Schools
- 2. Qualification requirements for Post-Primary teachers
- 3. Recognition of Qualifications for second level teaching
- 4. Appointments to Post-Primary teaching posts
- 5. Registration of Teachers in Voluntary Secondary Schools
- 6. Salary payable to Post-Primary Teachers 5
- 7. Recognition of teaching qualifications recognised in other EU States
- 8. Specialist Post-Primary teaching posts
- 9. Additional information
_____________________________________________________________________
DOICMÉIDEACHT CHUÍ
Riachtanais Ábhair Ghinearálta agus Éagsúla do Mhúinteoirí le hÁbhair Aitheanta in Oideachas Príomhshrutha Iar-bhunscoilíochta
Cliceáil anseo chun riachtanais Ábhair Ghinearálta agus Éagsúla a íoslódáil
Liosta Cáilíochtaí Formheasta na Comhairle Múinteoireachta
Cliceáil anseo chun an Liosta Cáilíochtaí Formheata (nuashonraithe 17ú Lúnasa) a íoslódáil
Tabhair faoi deara:Is mar threoir amháin an chaipéis seo agus déantar athbhreithnú agus athruithe uirthi ar bhonn leanúnach. Ní airbheartaítear go bhfuil comhairle nó treoir chinntitheach nó dhochloíte faoi aon ábhar Pearsanta nó dlíthiúil ann.
D'fhonn a bheith aitheanta agus cláraithe chun hábhair áirithe a mhúineadh ag léibheál na hIar-bhunscoilíochta, caithfidh múinteoir na riachtanais ghinearálta agus speisialta don ábhar a shásamh. Má aimsíonn iarrathóir ar chlárú go bhfuil a c(h)uid cáilíochtaí ar an liosta de cháilíochtaí formheasta, ciallaíonn seo gur féidir leis/ léi dul ar aghaidh go dtí an chéim cláraithe leis an gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta. Ach tá na hábhair a clárófar leo chun mhúineadh ag brath ar chomhlíonadh critéar na n-ábhar laistigh den cháipéis um Riachtanais Ghinearálta agus Speisialta.
An Coiste Gairmoideachais - Caipéisí cuí
Ciorclán 32/92
Cliceáil anseo chun an ciorclán 32/92 .doc (62 KB) a íoslódáil
Meamram V7
Cliceáil anseo chun Meamram V7.doc (185 KB) a íoslódáil
___________________________________________________________________________________
1. Categories of Post-Primary Schools
Post-primary, or second level schools, are schools in which subjects and programmes from a nationally approved curriculum are taught to junior and senior cycle students in the 12-18 years age range.
Post-primary schools can be divided into three sectors:
- Voluntary Secondary schools
- Community & Comprehensive schools
- Vocational schools
Voluntary Secondary Schools
These schools comprise the majority of second level schools in Ireland and are privately owned and managed. Typically run by boards of governors, by religious bodies, or by individuals, they are heavily State funded and, with the exception of a relatively small number, do not charge tuition fees to Irish students. The Joint Managerial Body for Secondary Schools, Ireland, (JMB) is the representative body of Voluntary Secondary Schools – website www.jmb.ie
Community & Comprehensive Schools
These schools are comprehensive in nature, combining academic and technical education as well as having a community dimension in terms of adult education and facilities. They are publicly owned and are administered by Boards of Management representative of local interests and totally funded by the State. The Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) is the representative body of the Community and Comprehensive Schools. It can be accessed through its website at www.accs.ie
Vocational Schools
These schools are publicly owned and funded and they are administered by local Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Their tradition is based on technical and vocational education but they have expanded in recent years to incorporate a very wide subject mix. In addition to providing second level education, the vocational education system has become increasingly involved in devising and implementing a range of continuing education and training services to post second level students.
The 33 VECs are statutory bodies established under the Vocational Education Acts. The representative body of the VECs is the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) and details of all VECs, including contact details, are available on their website www.ivea.ie
Ar ais go barr>
2. Qualification requirements for Post-Primary teachers
A post-primary teacher in Ireland (Republic of) must hold a suitable degree and a suitable teacher-training qualification.
A suitable degree is a degree or equivalent award from a State recognised university or similar third level college which is adequate to enable the holder to teach to the highest level (in the case of the majority of subjects, this is Leaving Certificate, higher level) at least one subject from the post-primary schools curriculum [see list of post-primary teaching subjects at appendix 1 below]. The duration of such a degree programme must be at least three years of full-time study or equivalent.
A suitable teacher-training qualification is a teacher-training qualification from a State recognised university or similar third level college directed towards the 12-18 age range. The duration of such a programme must be at least one year of full-time study or equivalent.
The most common teacher-training qualification in this country is the Higher Diploma in Education and is awarded on successful completion of a one–year full-time course.
Ar ais go barr
3. Recognition of Qualifications for second level teaching
Designated Authorities
At present the designated authorities for recognition of qualifications for teaching in post primary schools are the Registration Council and the Minister for Education and Science.
Assessment Criteria
Certain criteria must be satisfied for a qualification to be accepted as suitable for the purposes of post-primary teaching.
List of approved qualifications
Recognised third level institutions in this country and abroad can apply to have particular qualifications approved for post primary teaching in this country. Where granted, this approval is referred to as general recognition for teaching at post primary level. Most of the qualifications that have general recognition are awarded by institutions in this country, with a small number being awarded by institutions in the United Kingdom. These qualifications are set out in a booklet which is available on this site.
How does a qualification get on the approved list?
If a third level institution wants to have the suitability of a qualification assessed for the purposes of teaching one or more subjects from the post-primary curriculum or as a teacher-training qualification (or both in the case of a concurrent qualification), then it must submit all relevant details (including the subject(s) for which recognition is/are sought) to the Teaching Council for assessment. A fee must also be submitted for each subject (currently €200 per subject).
If the qualification is deemed suitable then it is given general recognition and listed in the Teaching Council booklet, showing, in the case of a degree, the relevant subject(s). The approval of the Council is sometimes conditional, for instance, on certain course modules having been undertaken. Where conditions apply, these are indicated on the list.
My qualification is not on the list, how can I have it recognised?
Qualifications not in the Registration Council booklet Download Booklet (File Format Word 700KB) do not have general recognition and must be individually assessed in order to determine whether or not they are suitable.
For an individual assessment to be carried out, the person must submit all relevant documentation (transcript of results, details of the content of the programme studies, etc.) regarding the qualification(s) and pay a fee (currently €150 per application and an additional fee of €75 for each of any additional subjects). A form for this purpose is available from the Registration Council Download Form (File Format Word 120KB). The form sets out in detail what is required. It is important to be aware that the assessment of a qualification cannot take place until all relevant documentation is made available to the Council and that the onus is on the applicant to provide this documentation.
Further information
Further information on the application process can be obtained by contacting:
An Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta
Bloc A
Campas Gnó Mhaigh Nuad
Co. Chill Dara
Teileafón: +353 1 6517900,
Glaoch Áitiúil 1890 224 224
Facs: +353 1 6517901
R.phost: info@teachingcouncil.ie
Ar ais go barr
4. Appointments to Post-Primary teaching posts
Every post-primary school and VEC receives an annual quota of teaching posts which are funded by the Department of Education & Science. This quota is based on the pupil teacher ratio in individual schools or VECs.
For more information on the allocation of teaching posts to schools, please see Teacher Allocations on the Department’s website.
Publicly-funded teaching posts are advertised in the national press in the first instance. The selection and recruitment of teachers for permanent whole-time, temporary whole-time and regular part-time positions is a matter for the individual school authority.
In general, a teacher applying for a teaching position is expected to have taken the subject(s) of the post, as advertised, to degree level. For example, a teacher who has a degree where English only is taken to degree level, would not be suitably qualified for appointment to a post as teacher of Mathematics.
At present, a teacher appointed to a post in a voluntary secondary school, must also be registered with the Registration Council or hold qualifications suitable for registration.
Ar ais go barr
5. Registration of Teachers in Voluntary Secondary Schools
Teachers who are proposed for appointment to posts in Voluntary Secondary schools must be registered or have applied for registration (with the Registration Council) before they are entitled to salary. To be eligible for registration, a teacher must:
- hold a suitable degree, and
- hold a suitable teacher-training qualification, and
- have at least one year of full-time approved teaching service
*Note: Some teachers appointed to teaching posts in voluntary secondary schools will have qualifications that enable them to be registered but will not have the required approved teaching service. While they may be appointed to teaching posts (and paid at the qualified rate of salary), they cannot become fully registered until they satisfy all conditions for registration.
Ar ais go barr
6. Salary payable to Post-Primary Teachers
For Qualified Teachers
There is a common basic incremental salary scale for teachers. In addition, certain allowances are payable. The most common allowances payable are the degree allowance and the teacher-training allowance (referred to as the Higher Diploma in Education allowance). The up-to-date salary scales and allowances are set out on the Departments website Download scales and allowances file in Word Format. Other circulars regarding teachers’ salaries are also contained on the Department’s website.
Circular Letter PPT09/02 deals with incremental credit for teachers. In relation to “Length of Professional Training”, it provides for:
- two increments in respect of four or more years full-time training;
- one increment in respect of three years full-time training;
The starting point on the incremental salary scale for a teacher with a degree and a teacher-training qualification (i.e. four years full-time training) would therefore normally be point 3. However, please note also that incremental credit may be due in respect of relevant non-teaching experience and also previous teaching experience including service given abroad.
For Unqualified Teachers
In exceptional circumstances, where a teacher is deemed unqualified for appointment to the teaching post for which s/he is proposed by the school (i.e. qualifications are unsuitable for teaching the subject(s) of the post as advertised or, in the case of Voluntary Secondary schools, for the purposes of registration), and where no other suitably qualified candidate is available, then s/he may only be appointed to the post for not more than one school year. In these circumstances, the post will be re-advertised before the end of the school year seeking a fully qualified teacher.
In these circumstances, s/he is paid at the unqualified rate. In the case of a teacher who obtains a contract for 11 teaching hours per week or more, she/he is paid at the first point on the incremental salary scale and no qualification allowances are payable. In the case of a teacher who obtains a contract for less than 11 hours a week, she/he is paid the part-time unqualified hourly rate.
Unqualified service is not reckonable for incremental credit or pension purposes
In taking this approach the Department seeks to ensure as far as possible that a teacher appointed to a teaching post is qualified to teach the subject(s) of that post and is mindful of the need to ensure that in the filling of publicly funded teaching posts and the process for appointment to such posts is fully transparent and above reproach. Clarity of advertising and transparency in the selection process as a whole are essential to the maintenance of public confidence in this process and the avoidance of any misunderstandings arising in any individual case.
Ar ais go barr
7. Recognition of teaching qualifications recognised in other EU States
Provisional recognition
Under Directive EC89/48 (general system for mutual recognition of professional qualifications), an EU citizen who is recognised as a post-primary teacher by another EU/EEA country may seek similar recognition in Ireland. The same rules of recognition as apply to Irish citizens apply to such applicants. However, while awaiting a final decision on his/her application for full recognition, the teacher will be granted provisional recognition in this country. This will entitle him/her to the same remuneration and conditions of employment as apply to a recognised teacher in Ireland. The suitability of his/her qualifications must still be assessed for post primary teaching in this country.
Addressing shortfalls
Where, during the assessment, shortfalls are identified in the courses of study undertaken leading to the academic and professional qualifications held by the applicant, the applicant for recognition will then be required to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the areas of the shortfall. S/he may choose to address this either by way of an aptitude test or by way of an adaptation period. The aptitude test consists of a written examination in the subjects of the shortfall. The adaptation period is 3 years in the case of degree shortfalls and 15 months in the case of a teacher-training qualification. The provisional recognition will be withdrawn if the chosen option is not completed satisfactorily within the permitted timeframe.
An example of a shortfall (there may also be others) for a person who obtained his/her teacher-training qualification outside the state, is in the area of the History and Structure of the Irish Education System, a knowledge of which is considered essential in the training of a teacher in Ireland. The most common choice of applicants to address this shortfall is by way of the aptitude test. In the case of teachers granted provisional recognition under the EU Directive, up to 15 months is allowed within which this shortfall must be addressed.
Cliceáil anseo chun "The History and Structure of Irish Education - Explanatory Memorandum" (678 KB)
Ar ais go barr
8. Specialist Post-Primary teaching posts
In addition to holding the qualifications required for recognition as a teacher in a post-primary school, an applicant for appointment to a specialist teaching post must, in order to be deemed qualified for the post, have an acceptable post-graduate qualification in that specialist area. The following are deemed to be specialist teaching posts:
- Learning Support teacher
- Special Educational Needs teacher
- Guidance Counsellor (Teacher specialising in Career Guidance)
See appendices 2,3 and 4 below which set out the post-graduate qualifications acceptable for these posts.
Circular Letter PPT 06/04 deals with appointments to Special Educational Needs (or Resource) teaching posts. This Circular, for the time being and in certain circumstances, provides for the appointment of teachers who do not hold the required post-graduate qualification to Special Educational Needs teaching posts. Teachers appointed in accordance with this Circular are entitled to the qualified rate of pay.
Ar ais go barr
9. Additional information
Applying for Post-Primary teaching posts
If a person wishes to pursue a career in teaching, it is up to him or her to apply for teaching posts as they become available. Posts are advertised by the individual schools or by Vocational Education Committees. They are normally advertised in the national press, the majority being advertised over the period from Easter to the end of August.
Applying to do the Higher Diploma in Education
The Higher Diploma in Education is run in the following third level colleges:
University of Dublin (Trinity College)
National University of Ireland, Galway
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
National University of Ireland, Cork (University College, Cork)
National University of Ireland, Dublin (University College, Dublin)
Dublin City University (2 year part-time course)
University of Limerick ( Cliceáil anseo le haghaigh tuillidh eolais)
Applicants who wish to do the course in Trinity College should apply directly to that college. Contact details are as follows:
University of Dublin
Trinity College
Dublin 1
Republic of Ireland
Phone +353 – (0)1-6081488
Applicants who wish to do the course in any of the other four colleges should apply to the Higher Diploma in Education (NUI) Applications Centre, which is based in Galway. Contact details are as follows:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (NUI) Applications Centre,
First Floor,
Tower House,
Eglinton Street,
Galway
Republic of Ireland.
Phone +353-(0)91-509817.
Fax +353-(0)91-509819.
Relevant information is also available on the Postgraduate Applications Centre website.
To be eligible to apply for the Higher Diploma in Education, a person must have a suitable degree (as outlined above under “Qualification requirements for post-primary teachers”). All queries regarding eligibility, selection criteria, closing dates, etc. should be directed, as appropriate, to either the Higher Diploma in Education (NUI) Applications Centre in Galway or Trinity College, Dublin.
The Teaching Council
The Teaching Council was established under the Teaching Council Act 2001. This Council will take over the role of designated authority for the recognition of teachers from the Minister and the Registration Council.
When established, all teachers paid out of monies provided by the Oireachtas (i.e. in publicly funded posts) will be required to register with this new Council.
Useful Links
Registration Council: www.education.ie
Click on Education Personnel + Post-Primary + Registration Council
University of Dublin (Trinity College): www.tcd.ie
The Higher Diploma in Education (NUI) Applications Centre: www.pac.ie
Irish Vocational Education Association: www.ivea.ie
Ar ais go barr
Appendix 1
Approved curricular subjects
Current list of approved post-primary curricular subjects. In the case of Leaving Certificate subjects, the Junior Certificate equivalent is also shown where it is different.
Approved curricular Junior Certificate
Subjects equivalent
(where different)
Accounting Business Studies
Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Science Science
Applied Mathematics
Arabic
Art (including Crafts)
Biology Science
Business Business Studies
Chemistry Science
CSPE (Civic Social and Political Education)
Classical Studies
Computer Studies (IT or ICT)
Construction Studies Materials Technology (Wood)
Economics Business Studies
Engineering Metalwork
English
French
Geography
German
Ancient Greek
Hebrew Studies
History
Home Economics (Scientific and Social)
Irish
Japanese
Italian
Latin
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics Science
Physics and Chemistry Science
Religious Education
Russian
SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education)
Spanish
Technical Drawing
Technology
Ar ais go barr
Appendix 2
Learning Support teachers – additional qualifications required
The following are the post-graduate qualifications in the area of Learning Support that are recognised by the Department of Education & Science:
• Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin 6 - Diploma in Learning Support
• Department of Education, National University of Ireland, Cork - Higher Diploma in Learning Support
• Department of Education, National University of Ireland, Galway - Higher Diploma in Learning Support
• Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick - Graduate Diploma in Learning Support
• St. Angela's College of Education, Lough Gill, Sligo - Graduate Diploma in Learning Support
• Such other qualification as may be acceptable by the Minister from time to time as being the equivalent to the above will also be acceptable for this purpose - any such qualification must be submitted to the Minister for approval prior to making the appointment.
The following Special Needs post-graduate qualifications are also acceptable:
• Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin 6 - Diploma in Special Education Needs
• Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick - Post-Graduate/ Masters in Special Education Needs
• National University of Ireland, Dublin - Higher Diploma in Remedial and Special Education
• St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo - Higher Diploma in Special Education Needs
Ar ais go barr
Appendix 3
Special Educational Needs teachers – additional qualifications required
The following are the post-graduate qualifications in the area of Special Educational Needs that are recognised by the Department of Education & Science:
• Higher Diploma in Remedial and Special Education from University College, Dublin.
• Higher Diploma in Special Education Needs from St. Angela’s College, Lough Gill, Sligo.
• Diploma in Special Education Needs from the Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines, Dublin 6
• Graduate Diploma in Special Education Needs from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
• Such other qualification as may be acceptable by the Minister from time to time as being the equivalent to the above will also be acceptable for this purpose - any such qualification must be submitted to the Minister for approval prior to making the appointment.
Ar ais go barr
Appendix 4
Guidance Counsellors – additional qualifications required
The following are the post-graduate qualifications in the area of Guidance Counselling that are recognised by the Department of Education & Science:
• National University of Ireland, Cork - Higher Diploma in Guidance and
Counselling
• National University of Ireland, Maynooth - Higher Diploma in School
Guidance and Counselling
• University of Dublin - Masters Degree in Education (Guidance and Counselling)
• University of Dublin – M. Sc. Degree in Educational Guidance and Counselling- Mode B Initial Training
• University of Limerick - Post graduate Diploma in Guidance Counselling
• Marino Institute of Education - The masters Degree in Guidance and Counselling
• Marino Institute of Education - The Masters Degree in Family Counselling (Guidance and Counselling Specialisation)
• Such other qualification as may be acceptable by the Minister from time to time as being the equivalent to the above will also be acceptable for this purpose - any such qualification must be submitted to the Minister for approval prior to making the appointment
The following courses have been discontinued but are still approved:
• Mater Dei Institute - The Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
• National University of Ireland, Dublin - Higher Diploma in Career Guidance
Ar ais go barr
