Over 300 untrained teachers are still working in the primary sector, according to new figures from the INTO. Seán Flynn, Education Editor, reports.
And the union says the situation is set to worsen early next year when hundreds of primary teachers retire.
The figures mean that up to 9,000 pupils across the State do not have the services of a fully-qualified primary teacher. There are also several hundred trained secondary teachers working within the primary system,according to the INTO.
The 300 untrained teachers - the INTO calls them "untrained personnel" - hold temporary posts.
The shortage of trained primary teachers is most acute in Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow, Louth and Meath. In Dublin alone, over 80 untrained teachers are working within the system.
The INTO has said it will refuse to work in schools where there are still untrained personnel unless the situation is resolved by September 2005.
At one stage, two years ago, it was estimated there were over 1,000 untrained teachers in primary schools.
The problem has arisen because the Department underestimated the number of teaching posts required.
The INTO wants to see a range of measures to address the issue. These include:
The establishment of another postgraduate course for primary teachers in the colleges of education to begin in February 2003;
Conversion courses-trained Montessori teachers;
Continuing recruitment of teachers from Northern Ireland and abroad on a provisional recognition basis, with appropriate supports to enable them to meet Irish language requirements;
The provision of accelerated Irish qualification for teachers trained in Northern Ireland.
Last night, the INTO general secretary, Mr John Carr said: "A fully-trained and qualified primary teacher is not a luxury or an optional extra in the education system. Quality primary education is a basic entitlement."