Teaching graduates facing dole queue

HUNDREDS of students due to qualify as primary teachers next summer face the dole queue or emigration after the Government’s shock move to increase class sizes.

This is despite assurances from former taoiseach Bertie Ahern before last year’s election that there would be 4,000 extra teaching posts in primary schools as part of his party’s commitment to reducing class sizes. The assurance was repeated in the June 2007 Programme for Government.

Of more than 1,200 students who will complete training courses next year, St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra will provide 400 teachers who will have undertaken three years of study, with a further 150 postgraduates completing an 18-month course — many having decided to change careers with the positive prospect of work after college.