Council to cut primary teachers’ probation

PRIMARY teachers struggling to complete their professional qualifications because of trouble finding work should soon see a reduction in the amount of time they must spend in the classroom.

In order to be fully registered with the Teaching Council, a requirement for long-term employment in schools, a primary teacher has to complete 170 days of probationary service within three years of qualifying.

It must include two blocks of 50 consecutive days and unprobated teachers are subject to two unannounced visits during this period by a Department of Education inspector to ensure they meet professional standards.