Primary Teaching 2

Primary school teachers face the difficult and intimidating task of communicating information to children who are at their most receptive age. This adds increased pressure to an already difficult and demanding profession, however the rewards are often just as weighty. Every first written word, equation and drawing will be an exciting achievement, for pupil and teacher.

Apart from the obvious advantage of having a positive effect on so many youngsters’ lives, there is also the less altruistic attraction of the holidays that this career path entails. Daydreamers might imagine leisurely walks in the afternoon, coffee dates with friends when the bell rings at half past 3 and, best of all, at least two months off in the summer to spend as you please. Enjoyable as these scenarios might seem they are not as commonplace as a hopeful teacher might imagine. The day of a primary school teacher does not end abruptly when the bell rings and there will be no rushing home to catch up on America’s Next Top Model. The more likely scenario will be a charge for the staffroom to get up to speed with the thirty homework books waiting to be marked. Although the free summer months are undoubtedly a great benefit of this profession, the length of the holidays may not be as impressive as it first seems. Part of this time must be spent planning and organising lessons for the new class in September.

Yet these are small concessions to make considering the returns teachers receive for their efforts. Educating children is an extremely worthy and fulfilling challenge, and one thing that can be counted on is that there will never be two days alike: a huge bonus for those who wish to avoid the monotony of office life. Those who don’t have the necessary qualifications but are in possession of an honours degree can apply to do an 18-month Graduate Diploma course. This postgraduate conversion course is available at various higher education institutions: St. Patrick’s College (Drumcondra), Mary Immaculate College, Froebel College of Education, and Coláiste Mhuire (Marino Institute).

Over the year and a half programme students will learn through a mixture of teaching practice and taught modules. The course is full time in each college. Part of the programme will be dedicated to enabling students to teach subjects such as English, Mathematics, Music, Social, Personal & Health Education, but huge emphasis is also placed on the teaching practice. Microteaching and practical classroom encounters will be discussed in order to prepare candidates for the end of semester teaching. In this way students are provided with the theoretical, professional and practical elements needed for the classroom.

The 18 months is divided into 14 taught modules and 4 teaching practice modules over 3 semesters, each of which are of 15 weeks’ duration. This is to ensure that by the time you are in front of your own class you will have developed the tough skin necessary to deal with any surprises! A period in the Gaeltacht is mandatory during the course and is usually completed after the first semester. Assessment is ongoing through a combination of course work, essays and an end of semester exam.

Requirements for the course are, in addition to a primary degree, a C3 or higher in Ordinary level English, a D3 or higher in Ordinary level Maths and a C3 or higher in Honours Irish in the Leaving Certificate. These conditions are extremely strict and if an applicant studied pass Irish in the Leaving Cert or has never studied Irish before, they will be compelled to take the Irish in the Leaving Cert again (which is possible to do with only one subject) and achieve the necessary results before they are liable for acceptance. Entry to the course will first consist of an Irish interview, which is the fence that many applicants fall at and then must wait until the following year to apply once again. So please bear in mind that an ability with the Irish language or indeed a motivation to learn it are vital.

All of these courses are run from year to year depending on demand and are offered at the discretion of the Department of Education & Science. Keep an eye out for advertisements in the national and Sunday newspapers for details of application dates.

A common problem for many people who are considering taking this route is inaccessibility. Since three of the four colleges offering the conversion course are in Dublin and the fourth being in Limerick, the commitment is simply not an option for some. However this was solved with the introduction of the Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education from Hibernia in 2004, which is taught through distance learning. This provides a more flexible route to teaching through a mix of online and face-to-face tuition. No commuting is necessary and it is possible for participants to maintain their daily job simultaneously. The college accepts intakes in October and February.

The announcement of this year’s budget has sparked a massive controversy and outcry from teachers and parents alike responding to the planned cutbacks of primary school teachers. The staffing changes will mean that there will be 200 less teachers to work with 11,000 extra pupils, bringing the ratios from 27 students to 1 teacher to 28:1. All of which means less available positions for new teachers and those already employed on a temporary basis. Thankfully however, the Government’s proposed cap on substitute teachers in primary schools has been rowed back. Many new teachers seek to maintain a level of income and teaching experience through substitute teaching. However for those prepared for a competitive job environment and with a true desire to aid the development of the next generation primary teaching remains a rewarding and satisfying career choice.