Internet teacher courses backed

THE training of teachers through internet courses will not reduce quality or professional standards, the head of a college offering such a programme said yesterday.

Hibernia College executive chairman Seán Rowland said more than half its higher diploma in primary education is taught in person and in classrooms.

The approval of the 18-month part-time course as a recognised teaching qualification by former Education Minister Noel Dempsey in August last year drew widespread criticism.

Teacher training colleges and student groups expressed concern about the implications for the quality of the profession and also questioned the length of the course. The Irish National Teachers Organisation, which will not allow members work alongside unqualified teachers from next September, has called for a review of the programme before any further students are enrolled.

Mr Rowland addressed the Oireachtas Education Committee yesterday, where he said many myths about the course had to be dispelled.

“Only 45% of the programme, mainly theoretical parts of the curriculum, is provided online. The rest including weekend tuition and inspected teaching practice, is done on site,” he said.

“We have at least as many contact hours as any other postgraduate course,” said Mr Rowland, a former primary teacher, who has also worked at Harvard University and Boston College in the United States.

The first intake of almost 200 students began the course a year ago and are due to graduate next summer. All but about 8% of them are degree holders working in primary schools without an appropriate qualification.

Mr Rowland said more than 2,000 people have applied for the next course beginning this month, at a cost of almost €6,000 each.