The sections of the Teaching Council Act 2001 dealing with probation were commenced in September 2012. This means that the Council has a statutory responsibility for establishing procedures and criteria for the probation of newly qualified teachers. It is currently developing procedures for a new model of probation. Please click here for more information.
The following information relates to the current process of probation. Existing probation arrangements for primary teachers and post qualification experience (PQE) for post-primary teachers remain unchanged in the 2012/2013 school year.
Primary Teachers (including Montessori and other categories - Registration Regulation 3)
The Council will assume responsibility in September 2012 for induction and probation in respect of primary teachers. The Department of Education and Skills Circular 0029/2012 outlines the current arrangements. (This Circular replaces DES Circular 0058/2010.)
The Teaching Council requires all primary teachers to complete induction and probation successfully before they can achieve full registration (registration without conditions). Full registration is confirmed when the teacher informs the Teaching Council that the probationary process has been successfully completed and other conditions (if any) of registration have been satisfied.
The probation process involves a minimum teaching service requirement (100 days) and incidental visits from a Department of Education & Skills Inspector, who will prepare a report on the suitability of the teacher.
Teachers who commenced service on or after September 2010 must notify the Teaching Council that they have successfully completed their probationary period, by submitting Form C. Click here to download Form C.
Frequently Asked Questions about Probation for Primary Teachers
The requirement for Induction
In line with the Council having responsibility from September 2012 for the induction of teachers, the Council has decided that participation in a programme of induction workshops will be a requirement for all NQTs who complete their teacher education qualification in 2012 and subsequently. In addition, all other teachers who apply for registration from 02 July 2012 are required to complete the induction workshop programme provided that they have not previously:
- met the requirements of Post Qualification Employment (PQE) (post-primary)
- met the requirements of Probation (primary)
- completed an induction programme in another jurisdiction.
Please click here for further details
Primary teachers who qualified outside of Ireland
Persons commencing a programme of initial teacher education outside of Ireland but within the EU/EEA from 1 January 2011 should read the important note below.
Currently, all teachers who qualified outside Ireland and who wish to achieve full registration with the Teaching Council must complete the probationary process. An exception is made where an applicant for registration has completed a period of induction/probation in the State where he/she qualified. The applicant must provide the Council with evidence of a satisfactory period of overseas induction/probation. The probationary process can begin only when all other conditions of registration have been fulfilled, for example the Irish Language Requirement (see Registration with Conditions).
Important Note for persons commencing initial teacher education outside Ireland and within the EEA from 1 January 2011
Revised procedures for the registration of teachers under Council Directive 2005/36/EC (EEA Countries) in Ireland
From 1 January 2011, persons commencing a programme of initial teacher education outside Ireland and who wish to register with the Teaching Council under the mobility rights (for workers) of Council Directive 2005/36/EC (EEA Countries), must have full registration from the country in which they completed the programme of initial teacher education. Full registration may include a period of induction and/or probation in that country. In effect, if probation/induction is a requirement for the purpose of gaining full registration in that State, a teacher will not gain mobility rights under the terms of the Directive until the requirement is met. Generally, such a teacher will be deemed exempt from the probationary period in Ireland. From September 2010, the Teaching Council is the body that processes applications for exemptions from probation.
Post-Primary Teachers
The Council will assume responsibility for probation in September 2012. The current system of Post-Qualification Employment (PQE) continues until further notice. PQE is a condition of registration for Post-Primary teachers.
In order to gain full registration as a Post-Primary teacher, all teachers must complete a period of Post-Qualification Employment (PQE). This involves providing evidence of 300 hours' teaching experience in a recognised school which is verified and signed by the school principal. A minimum of 200 hours of the approved teaching experience must relate to the teaching of a recognised curricular subject to a class of at least 14 students. Up to 100 hours of the approved teaching experience may be carried out in a learning support, special needs, language support, or guidance counselling role. A maximum period of three years is permitted to meet this requirement.
On fulfilling this condition, registrants should complete Form B, have it signed and stamped by the School Principal and return it to the Teaching Council.
Click here to download Form B.
The requirement for Induction
In line with the Council having responsibility from September 2012 for the induction of teachers, the Council has decided that participation in a programme of induction workshops will be a requirement for all NQTs who complete their teacher education qualification in 2012 and subsequently. In addition, all other teachers who apply for registration from 02 July 2012 are required to complete the induction workshop programme provided that they have not previously:
- met the requirements of Post Qualification Employment (PQE) (post-primary)
- met the requirements of Probation (primary)
- completed an induction programme in another jurisdiction.
Please click here for further details