Qualified teachers get 3-month reprieve to register with body

Hundreds of qualified teachers have been given a three-month reprieve to register with the profession’s regulatory body, but may have to leave work for up to six months if they do not sign up by the end of January.

People in teaching jobs who are not suitably qualified will be allowed up to six years’ leave to get the proper degree, according to a Department of Education letter arriving in schools this week.

An order to be signed by Education Minister Rúairí Quinn on Friday means section 30 of the 2001 Teaching Council Act comes into effect on Jan 28 next. After that date, his department and the 16 education and training boards (ETBs) will be legally banned from paying anyone employed as a teacher unless they are registered with the council.