Teachers will have to register by law

THE Teaching Council is the body charged with regulating the profession since 2006.

Every teacher in the country will shortly have to ensure their names are on a the register before they put chalk to a blackboard.

In addition to regulating standards within the profession, the 37-member body is tasked with promoting teaching as a profession at both primary and secondary level.

Under its chief executive Aine Lawlor -- who receives an annual salary of €105,429 -- it commissions research into educational issues and advises the education minister on teacher supply.

Some 71,591 teachers countrywide hand over an annual registration fee of €90 to the Teaching Council.

The few teaching in state schools who have yet to register will be required to do so by law after a section of legislation is shortly enacted by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

The word from those in the profession that its enactment is "imminent".

Along with the mandatory registration, it is expected the Council will be granted its 'claws'.

Like the Medical Council, the Teaching Council will then be granted powers to strike off members after investigating and proving allegations of gross misconduct.

From April 2013, all of the new teachers applying to be registered will need a recognised teacher education qualification.


- Louise Hogan

Irish Independent