Aspiring primary teachers get reprieve in Leaving Cert move

Colleges plan to offer places to around a dozen students whose applications to become primary teachers were turned down in August, thanks to the retrospective easing of entry requirements by Education Minister Richard Bruton.

The move is part of a wider list of reforms that will see standards rise slightly over the next two years for those wishing to enter bachelor of education (B.Ed) programmes that qualify them to teach in primary schools.

As well as Central Applications Office (CAO) points determined by their six best Leaving Certificate grades, B.Ed applicants must have certain minimum grades in Irish, English, and maths.