Unions express concern at training of primary teachers online
Hibernia College has been offering internet-based tutorials as part of its graduate diploma in primary education, which took on its first 180 students last autumn and is interviewing candidates for the next intake in October.
Just under half the 18-month part-time course, with fees of almost €6,000, is done online and students must do at least 14 weeks of teaching practice to graduate. However, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has called any further intakes to be delayed until the course has been fully evaluated. The union’s general secretary, John Carr, made a submission to the Oireachtas Education Committee which held a discussion on online courses for training primary teachers yesterday.
“The key issues for teachers are the maintenance of quality in primary education, the upholding of professional standards of practice, ensuring that the initial education of teachers conforms to the highest standards and safeguarding the issue of teacher supply,” Mr Carr said.
The number of teacher training places in State-funded education colleges has increased four-fold in the past decade. However, last November, Education Minister Noel Dempsey reduced the number of postgraduate places available through them for this year by 180, the same number as entrants on the privately-funded Hibernia course a month earlier.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) raised concerns on the value of internet-based courses and said the best way to deliver teacher training is through the established colleges.
“We’re worried for the quality of teachers coming out of the system, the students participating in courses which do not really prepare them for the reality of primary schools, and for the general future of the teacher education system,” said USI president Ben Archibald.
“While the Government may believe it has pulled off a coup by reducing the cost of delivering teacher training, the result could be privatisation through the back door and serious questions around the professionalism of new teachers,” he said.
Representatives from Hibernia College were unable to attend the committee meeting, but have indicated their availability to make a submission in September.
The committee also heard submissions from St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, president Pauric Travers, Irish Federation of University Teachers vice-president Daire Keogh and the Alliance for Professionalism representing student teachers.
