Sir, – The article on on mentoring and supporting new teachers stated that "under the current probation system, new teachers have to fend for themselves in the classroom without a formal mentoring or support system" ("Droichead teacher mentoring scheme reveals a gap to be bridged", May 31st). This is not so. Mentoring has been available to new teachers since 2002, when teacher induction was first introduced by the Department of Education following demands by the teacher unions and colleges of education.
Experienced teachers have a strong tradition of supporting their new colleagues. Professional training for mentors has been available for over a decade, with the numbers of teachers becoming mentors increasing year on year. Mentors provide valuable professional, pedagogical and personal support to newly qualified teachers in schools throughout the country. Furthermore there are other established professional supports available to new teachers, including professional development workshops, access to a school support service, telephone and email support, as well as a dedicated induction website.
It is important that the Department of Education continues to provide mentor training so that all newly qualified teachers can be supported by trained mentors. – Yours, etc,
MARY BURKE,
INTO,
35 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.