1.7.1 Development of the teaching workforce

1.7.1 Development of the teaching workforce

Ireland’s commitment to a highly skilled teaching force continued

The quality of Ireland’s teaching force has been widely acknowledged as a key strength in our education system for many years, and Irish teachers are highly regarded in education systems abroad. Investing in initial and continuing teacher education for teachers and educators at all levels is essential if teaching standards are to be maintained and improved to meet the new and evolving needs of children and young people. It is heartening to note that, during the 2016-2020 period, national policies and initiatives have continued to seek to strengthen the professional education and standing of teachers and early years educators.

For primary and post-primary teachers, progress was made on the implementation of measures across all three phases of teacher education: initial, induction and in-career. The implementation of the 2012 report41 of an International Review Panel on initial teacher education, chaired by Professor Pasi Sahlberg was reviewed. Newly qualified teachers benefited from a new induction programme, Droichead, which was introduced in 2013. The professional development needs of serving teachers were addressed through the provision of dedicated support for school leaders, national in-service for curriculum and policy reform, and ongoing support for teachers. Finally, the Teaching Council made considerable progress on a range of initiatives including actions related to teachers’ learning and standards for teachers’ education.