A new four-year course for primary teachers has been proposed by a Department of Education review body.
The implementation of this key recommendation, however, is set to be delayed because of the shortage of trained teachers in primary schools. At present, there are some 700 temporary or untrained teachers in the primary system.
The report, the first review of primary teacher training in 30 years, proposes an overhaul to reflect the needs of modern society.
It proposes an extension of the Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) from three to four years. It also wants to see the current post-graduate programme - the "conversion" course for graduates - extended from 18 months to two years.
The review body says each training college should, within the next year, propose a restructuring of their courses in the light of the recommendations.
The thrust of the report is that the training course for primary teachers overburdens students with too much material in too short a time.
The review body, chaired by Dr Tom Kellaghan, wants to give students more breathing space to take on a wider range of subjects. It also wants a reduction in the number of formal contact hours per week in lectures.
"The large number of formal contact hours gives the wrong message on learning and leaves insufficient time for reading, independent work and reflection."
A transition to a four-year B.Ed could present practical difficulties. It would have to allow for one year in which no qualified teachers would graduate from the five training colleges in the State. About 1,000 students complete the B.Ed every year and a further 700-plus complete the post-graduate course.
Yesterday, the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, said he favoured a four-year B.Ed but also cautioned that the proposal would require careful consideration. "This proposal will require careful study, not least in terms of the resource implications which arise but also in terms of issues related to teacher supply."
The review body makes a range of other recommendations, including:
All students should take an information technology course in first year;
Students with skills which are required (e.g. science graduates) should be given preference in selection for the post-graduate course;
Consideration should be given to the reintroduction of interviews in the selection of candidates for the B.Ed;
Increased attention given to literacy and numeracy.