Govt urged to speed up primary teaching course

Fine Gael has called on Education Minister Noel Dempsey to speed up the introduction of a modular primary school teaching course for post-graduates.

At present, primary teachers must undertake an 18-month, full-time, post-graduate course.

Fine Gael spokesperson Olwyn Enright said this has led to around 40,000 primary pupils being taught by under-qualified personnel.