MATHEMATICS

Appendix II: Routes to registration for primary and post-primary teachers in Ireland
Initial Teacher Education (Primary and post-primary sectors)
Established in March 2006, the Teaching Council regulates the teaching profession in Ireland.
The Council (2011b, p. 5) espouses a policy position on Teacher education based on a continuum
model that:
encompasses initial teacher education, induction, early and continuing professional
development and, indeed, late career support, with each stage merging seamlessly into the
next and interconnecting in a dynamic way with each of the others
The Sahlberg Report (DES, 2012) was the proximate cause for the recent reform of initial teacher
education provision initiated by Ruairí Quinn T.D., Minister for Education and Skills, which is
ongoing and is being carried through by the Teaching Council. The requirements for teacher
registration (primary and post-primary) are set out in the Teaching [Registration] Regulations
2009 as provided for in Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001 (Teaching Council, 2009).
Under the regulations, there are two main routes to registration: the concurrent model and the
consecutive model.
Routes to registration for primary teachers
n Concurrent model - completion of a concurrent degree qualification in primary initial teacher
education (usually B.Ed.), carrying at least 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation
System), combining Studies in the Foundations of Education, Professional Studies and a Practical
Teaching Programme.
n Consecutive model - completion of an undergraduate degree and the completion of a post-graduate
programme of initial teacher education, carrying at least 90 ECTS, to include the areas of Studies in
the Foundations of Education, Professional Studies and a Practical Teaching Programme.
In both entry routes, pre-service teachers are expected to engage in courses of relevant studies
in the pedagogy of the entire range of subjects included in the Primary School Curriculum,
including STEM subjects. Furthermore, the courses are directed towards pupils in classes from
Junior Infants to Sixth Class. HE Institutions engaged in primary teacher education
n Church of Ireland College of Education (undergraduate only).
n Coláiste Mhuire/Marino Institute of Education.
n Froebel College of Education (Maynooth University).
n Mary Immaculate College.
n St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.
n Hibernia College (postgraduate only).
The minimum academic requirements for students entering primary ITE through the CAO process are:
n Grade C3 on a Higher Level paper in not less than three subjects.
n Grade D3 in three other subjects.
STEM EDUCATION IN THE IRISH SCHOOL SYSTEM
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