Registration conditions which Primary School Teachers must fulfil

Induction

Induction is a programme of education for teachers which takes place at the beginning of an Newly Qualified Teacher’s (NQT’s) career, soon after they have qualified. This phase consists of a series of professional induction workshops and further information about the process is available
here.

To apply for the programme, contact your local ATECI education centre here.

Probation

All newly qualified primary teachers are required to undergo a probationary period as a condition of their registration with the Teaching Council. See the Teaching Council FAQ’s to check for exceptions. To apply for the probationary process, which lasts 100 50 days and can be 2 periods not less than 50 consecutive school days, or to submit any queries, visit Limerick Education Centre’s website .

Once the probationary period has been completed, a certificate of competence will be submitted by the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills and the NQT must submit Form C , providing evidence of the completion of the term of probation. If a teacher has undergone a probationary period in another country, they should submit details of this to the Teaching Council to see if they are eligible for any exemptions regarding probation.

The Droichead Pilot Scheme

Droichead is a post-qualification of continuous professional development for NQT’s where they will work alongside a fully qualified colleague in a professional setting. It will allow for a more experienced professional to mentor the NQT to ensure they satisfy certain criteria. It is possible for an NQT to complete the Droichead process instead of the probationary period, but this is still a pilot scheme. In the case of each school where Droichead is being piloted a Professional Support Team (PST) will work together to support the NQT. At the end of the process the PST will complete a form confirming to the Teaching Council that the NQT has completed the required minimum period of professional practice, has engaged professionally with school based induction activities, has demonstrated a commitment to teaching and learning and has demonstrated an ability to practise independently as a qualified, fully registered teacher. Applications and questions relating to the Droichead process can be made here .

Qualification shortfalls

This is most regularly a condition applied to teachers who have qualified outside the Republic of Ireland, but may also be valid for NQT’s who graduated from the Irish system. If there are shortfalls, whether they be at undergraduate or teacher qualification level, the Teaching Council will highlight these to the applicant and they are given a time-frame in which this must be addressed. Normally, shortfalls can be overcome by the applicant completing and approved module or course or by completing a period of supervised practise, possibly in addition to further study.

Applicants may be granted conditional registration status for a maximum of three years from the date if initial registration so as to overcome any qualification shortfalls. If the applicant does not address these shortfalls within this defined period, their registration with the Teaching Council may lapse.

Irish language requirement

If an applicant for a primary school position has completed their programme of teacher education outside Ireland (unless they have completed their Postgraduate Certificate of Education through the Irish language or completed the four years honours programme in Irish at St Mary’s College Belfast) they will be registered with a condition known as Irish Language Requirement (ILR). In order to have this condition removed from their registration applicants must demonstrate their competence in teaching Irish, and other primary school curricular subjects through the medium of Irish. Teachers have the option of demonstrating their competency via an Aptitude Test or an Adaptation Period. If an applicant chooses the Adaptation Period, they must have a period of employment/placement of at least 120 days arranged during which they can demonstrate their capacity to meet the ILR. An option form about whether the applicant should do the aptitude test or the period of adaptation is sent to teachers at the time of their registration. Further details are available at here and on the Teaching Council website.