Proposed Teaching Council Requirements for Entry onto a Programme of Initial Teacher Education (Post-Primary)

During 2012 the Teaching Council  undertook a review of all post-primary curricular subject requirements and the procedures to determine suitability of degree qualifications prior to entry onto programmes of initial teacher education, i.e. the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE). The review took the form of a wide ranging consultation with the relevant education stakeholders.
 

Based on the consultation feedback, a revised set of criteria was drawn up, designed to provide greater clarity for all users and to reflect curricular developments since the existing criteria were published. The revised criteria were considered and ratified by Council in December 2012 and will be forwarded to the Minister for Education and Skills  for formal approval, along with  proposals for a revised process for determining degree eligibility prior to  entry onto an accredited Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) in Ireland.

The revised criteria will provide greater clarity for students, career guidance professionals, registration applicants and HEIs. They set out for the first time subject requirements in terms of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits. Where required, they also list mandatory areas of study and minimum ECTS credit requirements for specific areas, e.g. 15 ECTS of Human Geography for those intending to teach Geography and residency requirements for applicants intending to teach language subjects.

Once approved by the Minister, the new criteria will be disseminated widely along with a timeframe for implementation.

The new criteria will not apply to applicants applying to enter onto a PDE programme in 2013. 
Queries in relation to this consultation process may be emailed to postprimaryconsultation@teachingcouncil.ie