Up to 722 unqualified people teach in schools

Up to 722 people unqualified to teach worked in primary schools for at least a week in the past school year, despite efforts to ensure unemployed teachers are given work.

But the Department of Education has no idea of the real numbers because it does not require schools to notify it where an unqualified person is employed.

From early in the new school year, it should be almost impossible for teaching work to be given to unqualified people as only those registered with the Teaching Council will be paid by the department.