Your education questions answered
As a recently qualified graduate who has not as yet secured a full-time job, I am interested in the recent announcement of training places for primary teaching. Do you know anything about this scheme?
If you are interested in this programme you must act immediately. Applications for this scheme close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th, 2002. It is open to graduates who hold an approved third-level degree, who have secured at least Grade C3 in Irish at Higher Level, at least D3 in mathematics at Ordinary or Higher level, plus at least Grade C3 in English at Ordinary level or Grade D3 in English at Higher Level in their Leaving Certificate. In lieu of the Leaving Cert, a pass in a university first-year arts examination in Gaeilge, English or mathematics will be accepted.
For application purposes there are two centres - Dublin and Limerick. Applicants may apply to one college only. A total of 460 places are being made available. The number of places in each college will be: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (120); St Patrick's College,Dublin (180); Coláiste Mhuire, Marino, Dublin (100); Froebel College, Blackrock, Co Dublin (60).
Eligible applicants are required to undergo an interview (100 points) and an oral Irish test (40 points). These tests will take place early in January 2003. Qualified applicants are placed in order of merit, determined by the results of the interview and the oral Irish test.
For those applicants who are offered places, grants are available from local authorities to those who satisfy the conditions of the Higher Education Grants Scheme.
The course begins in February 2003 and ends in May 2004. Attendance at a three-week course in the Gaeltacht is part of the programme and this normally takes place at the end of the first semester.
As there are at least 1,000 unqualified people holding down teaching posts in primary schools, graduates of this programme are virtually guaranteed employment, provided the Budget ban is lifted by then.
When does the whole CAO process for college applications begin?
The application process for those seeking college places in 2003 has already started. Any student wishing to apply for a place at a college within the CAO system can currently acquire an application pack from his/her guidance counsellor, if he/she is currently attending a school or college. Those outside the education system can get a pack by contacting the CAO directly at Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway. Tel: (091) 509800.
Having studied the information in the pack, a prospective student can apply, using the application form in the pack. It is also possible to apply online to the CAO at www.cao.ie. The cost of application online is €25 as opposed to €35 for a written application.
Non-EU nationals have until December 15th to submit their application. EU residents have until the February 1st. All applicants may submit a late application up to May 1st. Late applications for restricted- applications courses will not be considered. These courses are ones where a portfolio presentation or interview process forms part of the application process.
Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. You can e-mail him your questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie
