IPPN

Published: 31 March 2009

Source: Teaching Council

Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe appointed 37 members to the Teaching Council at a ceremony in Dublin today (31 March 2009). The Teaching Council was established on a statutory basis in March 2006 to promote teaching as a profession at primary and post-primary levels, to promote the professional development of teachers and to regulate standards in the profession. The term of office of the first Council finished on 28 March last.

Speaking today, Minister O'Keeffe said:

'The establishment of the first Teaching Council was a milestone in the history of the Irish education system. During its term, the first Teaching Council has made significant progress in advancing the objectives of the Council and establishing the role of the Council in the sector. The members I've appointed today represent teachers and all the partners in education and I've every confidence that, by pooling their expertise, the Council will continue to fulfill its responsibilities to society and to teaching. I wish them well as they take up their important roles at this very challenging time for our nation'.

Appointing the members, Minister O'Keeffe announced that he will be shortly commencing the sections of the Teaching Council Act, 2001 which relate to Fitness to Teach and the formal requirement for teachers to register with the Teaching Council. Welcoming the announcement, the Council's Chief Executive Officer, Áine Lawlor said:

"We welcome the announcement that these very important sections of the Act are being commenced and indeed, this has been formally requested by the Council some time ago. These sections of the Act are central to the Council's role in protecting the high standards of professional practice and conduct which prevail in teaching in Ireland. Through its Investigating and Disciplinary Committees the Council has been active in preparing for its role in the area of Fitness to Teach and has researched current practice in other professional bodies in Ireland and in Teaching Councils in other jurisdictions. I am confident that it will be ready to meet the challenge".

More than 64,000 teachers are now registered with the Teaching Council. The establishment of the Register of Teachers is one of the Teaching Council's most important functions and progress in this and other key areas is set out in the Council's second annual report which was published in recent days (26 March 2009).During the reporting year, more than 3,400 persons registered as teachers.

Speaking today, Áine Lawlor, Teaching Council Chief Executive Officer, said "each stage of the teaching career is characterised by high professional standards and, during the year, the Council continued its work to ensure those standards are upheld. It did this in the interest of young people and society and, also, for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing the reputation of the profession".

While the development of the Register was the main focus of the Council's work during the year, significant progress was also made across the range of the Council's functions.

The Council commissioned research on teacher education in Ireland and internationally and began a consultative process to inform its drafting of its Policy Paper on Teacher Education and its Strategy for the Review and Accreditation of Programmes of Initial Teacher Education. Both the Policy Paper and the Review and Accreditation Strategy are now at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the Council will review a number of programmes on a pilot basis later this year.

Having regard to the importance of continuing professional development in the teaching profession, the Council launched a scheme of research bursaries to assist teachers who are undertaking research related to teaching, learning and assessment. Two further schemes have subsequently been implemented and, to date, the Council has awarded almost €250,000 in research bursaries.

In everything it does, the Council seeks to promote teaching as a profession and to create a culture where the role of teachers in preparing young people for life is acknowledged and valued. The Council's production of the DVD,"Croí na Múinteoireachta", marked an important step in an ongoing campaign to inform and enhance public perception of the teaching profession. A website dedicated to promoting teaching as a profession, www.teach.ie, is currently at planning stage.

Click here to view a photograph of Minister Batt O'Keeffe pictured with Áine Lawlor, CEO of the Teaching Council and the members of the Teaching Council who were appointed today (31 March 2009).