Elections next month for new teaching council

ELECTIONS are to be held next month for the country’s first teaching council which will have regulating powers for the profession.

Up to 50,000 teachers will be entitled to vote in regional polls to elect 16 of the council’s 37 members, nine from the primary sector and seven from post-primary. The country has been divided into four regions - Dublin, Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster - and unions will nominate candidates to stand for seats in each area.

In two-seat constituencies, teachers must choose candidates from two lists, one of male candidates and another of females, to support gender balance.