‘Crisis’ due to mismatch of teachers and subjects

Universities and colleges which train second-level teachers will be required to better regulate the numbers qualifying to teach certain subjects, following criticisms of an historic lack of planning.

However, any changes to how prospective teachers are selected to better match supply with demand may take years, despite second-level school managers’ recent warnings that they are “beyond crisis” trying to find language teachers.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said consultations are to begin soon between colleges, the Teaching Council — which regulates the profession and qualifications — and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). He yesterday published a report from a working group of the council, commissioned by previous minister Ruairi Quinn in 2013 and received by Mr Bruton’s department 18 months ago.