Registration with Conditions
Registration with Conditions
Under Section 31(6)(b) of the Teaching Council Act, 2001, and the Teaching Council Registration [Regulations] 2009 Council Registration [Regulations] 2009, the Council may register a person subject to conditions, including conditions as to probation, and such conditions shall be complied with within such period as may be specified by the Council. Accordingly, registration with conditions is therefore granted where a registrant has not fulfilled all of the requirements of registration. Currently, there are five situations where an applicant for registration may be granted registration with one or several conditions as follows:
Qualification Shortfalls (QS) – Primary and Post Primary Teachers
(This applies to EU applicants recognised under 89/48 or 2005/36/EC)
If shortfalls have been identified in the qualifications (primary degree or teacher education qualifications) of an applicant during the process of qualifications assessment, these shortfalls are identified to the applicant on completion of the assessment. Shortfalls are commonly addressed through the completion of an approved module or course (Aptitude Test), or via the completion of an employment based module (Adaptation Period). Conditional registration will be granted to the applicant until all the identified shortfalls have been addressed and the Teaching Council has received confirmation that the condition has been fulfilled.
Irish Language Requirement (ILR) – Primary Teachers Only
If an applicant for registration completes a programme of teacher education outside of the Republic of Ireland (with the exception of the PGCE through the medium of Irish or the four year honours Irish academic course at St. Mary’s College Belfast), he or she must complete an aptitude test or adaptation period which satisfies the Department of Education and Science and proves that the applicant is competent to teach the Irish language and teach the range of primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish. Conditional/provisional recognition and conditional registration is granted to those who are in the process of completing this requirement. A maximum period of three years is set for the completion of the adaptation period or five years for the aptitude test.
Probation – Primary Teachers Only (Including those with restricted recognition)
As part of the process to gain full registration as a primary teacher, all teachers are required to undergo a probationary period (after satisfying the Irish Language requirement, if applicable). The probationary period is organised in accordance with Department of Education and Science Circular 0140/2006. If individual teachers have completed a probationary period in another jurisdiction, it may only be necessary to complete a probationary period in the teaching of Irish. In cases where a teacher has completed no probationary period, it will be necessary for them to undergo a one-year probationary period in this State. The probationary process will involve incidental visits from a Departmental Inspector and reports on the suitability of the teacher. Full details including circular documents are available from the website of the Department of Education and Science at www.education.ie.
Note: If the probationary process is carried out in a restricted setting (i.e. within a Special Class or Resource Teaching role) and the probated teacher then takes up a position in a mainstream setting, a further probationary period will be required in the teaching of the Irish language.
Post-Qualification Employment (PQE) – Post Primary Teachers Only
In order to satisfy the condition of Post Qualification Employment (PQE), applicants must provide evidence of 300 hours teaching experience in a recognised school that is verified and signed by the school principal. A minimum of two thirds (200 hours) of the approved experience must be involved in the teaching of a curricular subject to a class of students (minimum of 14 students). Up to on third (100 hours) of the approved experience can be carried out in a learning support, special needs, language support or Guidance Counselling role. A maximum of a three year period is permitted within which a teacher must complete this requirement.
Conditional Registration is granted to registrants who have not completed the required duration of teaching service in a recognised school (or its equivalent). On fulfilment of this condition, registrants should complete Form B, have it signed and stamped by the School Principal and return it to the Teaching Council. The Teaching Council will then remove the registration condition.
History and Structure Examination (H&S) - Post Primary Teachers Only
For applicants who have completed their teacher education programme outside of Ireland, a requirement is set for these persons to complete and pass an aptitude test or adaptation period in the History and Structure of the Irish Education System. Persons who have not attempted or have not passed this examination or completed the adaptation period will also be granted registration with conditions.
