Dáil Education and Science Committee: The Department of Education and Science has moved to introduce a "quota" system to reduce the number of students with business degrees who are entering second-level teaching.
The move, which takes effect from next year, comes amid concerns that courses offered by colleges here may not be producing enough teachers in other subjects, including maths and the sciences.
A meeting of the Dáil's Education and Science Committee heard yesterday that over the past two years, as many as two- thirds of graduate students on the Higher Diploma in Education courses offered by National University of Ireland (NUI) colleges have come from a business background.
Under the plans, however, it is understood that as few as a quarter of H Dip in Ed places available at the NUI colleges may in future be allocated to students with business backgrounds.
The department has held discussions on the issue with the Higher Diploma in Education Application Centre (HDEAC), which co-ordinates the application process for the colleges.
"The HDEAC has taken the proactive approach to introduce a quota for the number of places available for those with business-related degrees, which has been identified as a priority issue," Johnny Bracken, principal officer with the department, told committee members.
"This measure, which will take effect in the 2006-07 academic year, will most likely reduce the number of graduates qualified to teach business, and also increase the places available for all other subject areas."
The department was also examining the issue of science teacher numbers to establish whether a similar quota might be needed, Mr Bracken added.
Yesterday's meeting heard that a request from primary school management bodies for extra funding, including a request from the Educate Together sector, would be considered as part of the upcoming Estimates process.
Acknowledging the demands placed on members of primary school boards of management, Mr Bracken said the production of a training manual for boards was being considered. He added that the system for dealing with underperforming or problem teachers needed to be speeded up.