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2. Teacher Education Opportunities
2.1 Current Teacher Education Opportunities
2.1.1 There are seven teacher education institutions in Scotland and of these seven, three make provision for teacher education in Gaelic. These are the faculties of education at the University of Strathclyde and University of Aberdeen and to a lesser extent the University of Glasgow. Initial teacher education in Gaelic takes place within the context of the B.Ed and PGDE courses. In recent years, Aberdeen and Strathclyde have both established partnerships with other bodies to deliver part-time and distance learning or off-campus provision for Gaelic teacher education.
2.1.2 The Scottish Executive conducts an annual Teacher Workforce Planning Exercise. This process involves examining the demographics of the profession, future pupil numbers and movements into and out of the profession, in order to project numbers of new teachers needed. The outcome of this process results in Guidance being prepared by SEED for SFC. This Guidance includes advice on a number of areas apart from those mentioned above, such as subject priorities and the requirements for denominational and Gaelic teachers.
2.1.3 This Guidance advises SFC that the supply of teachers able to teach in the medium of Gaelic continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers. The Executive also has a Partnership commitment to continue to invest in Gaelic medium education including the provision of more Gaelic medium teacher training places. In accordance with this the Executive's Education Department has asked the Council to continue to assist by promoting provision in this area. At present the Scottish Funding Council ( SFC) provides funding for a total of 20 places for Gaelic speakers on the University of Strathclyde's PGDE (Primary) course and for five places at the University of Aberdeen.
2.1.4 Furthermore the Executive expects SFC to consider pursuing the introduction of further avenues to increase the number of Gaelic medium teachers in both the primary and secondary sectors while continuing to bear in mind that all students for Initial Teacher Education ( ITE) must meet the same minimum academic entry requirements. Where possible, consideration should also be given to overseas students who may be qualified to enter courses but for whom fees may be prohibitive.
2.1.5 The Guidance to SFC also recommends that all teacher education providers continue to be encouraged to promote a positive approach in relation to applicants for all ITE courses by interviewing all who would be able to teach in Gaelic medium education. Both the Universities of Strathclyde and Aberdeen observe this and seek to interview all applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements.
2.1.6 Applicants are interviewed bilingually and are also asked to complete a written exercise to provide evidence of Gaelic literacy. All applicants who provide evidence of fluency, literacy and suitability to deliver the curriculum in Gaelic medium are given a place subject to confirming that they meet the basic requirements.
2.2 New Routes
2.2.1 The Executive's Guidance to SFC includes support for pursuing the introduction of further avenues into Gaelic teaching. Over recent years this has produced important new routes into Gaelic teaching. These new routes have been developed in order to attract into the teaching profession people who may not be able to move to Glasgow or Aberdeen for an extended period and it allows them to train and complete placements in the areas in which they live.
2.2.2 These new routes involve a significant commitment on behalf of the training providers and they are already producing results. In June 2005, 10 Gaelic medium teachers emerged from two new routes into Gaelic medium teaching, one established by the University of Aberdeen and another established through a partnership between the University of Strathclyde and the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute ( UHIMI).
2.2.3 The PGDE Strathclyde/ UHIMI course is a 36 week off-campus course that offers a qualification to teach in both Gaelic medium and English medium classes. The course is taught in Gaelic and English and the teaching placements are in Gaelic classes.
2.2.4 The University of Aberdeen, in partnership with Highland Council, has also taken important steps to address the difficulties of recruiting primary teachers, which includes Gaelic teachers. From session 2003-2004, Aberdeen University offered a two-year part-time distance learning course. Four of the students who secured a place on this course will be able to teach in the Gaelic medium on qualifying as a teacher. The course will again be offered from August 2005: approximately 50% of the course is delivered through the medium of Gaelic and a minimum of 50% of placements will be in Gaelic medium classes.
2.2.5 At present, students on the part-time courses (ie Aberdeen) are required to pay their own tuition fees. The Group was of the strong opinion that this should not be the case and that the Executive should ensure that funding is available for part-time courses, as it is for full-time courses.
2.2.6 A highly positive dimension of both courses has been the input of practising teachers as associate tutors. Course delivery and assessments are undertaken by associate tutors from the local authority as well as by university tutors. All students will have school experience placements within their local authority and, in the case of PGDE(P) students, induction placements are guaranteed within their local authority area. The Group felt that these courses were very promising initiatives and that they should be encouraged, promoted and further developed. The Group felt that both Aberdeen and Strathclyde should strive to utilise jointly associate tutors in schools.
2.3 Expansion of New Routes
2.3.1 Both Strathclyde/ UHIMI and Aberdeen have plans to extend the part-time and distance provision mentioned above. The Strathclyde/ UHIMI course was extended to Islay in August 2005 and Aberdeen's course will be available also as a secondary part-time course in partnership with Highland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
2.3.2 The Group welcomed these developments and felt there might be opportunities to expand these new routes into other areas of Scotland where people might benefit from studying closer to the areas in which they live or where courses that had been offered at primary level could be offered at secondary level too.
2.3.3 In launching the distance learning course Strathclyde/ UHIMI publicity suggested that this course was also available through video-conference techniques at a number of other UHI colleges and learning centres across the Gaidhealtachd. The Group believes that there may also be scope for access to these courses to be extended to people living in urban areas and to all relevant UHIMI centres, particularly Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Colaiste Bheinn na Faoghla, Lochaber College and Ionad Chaluim Chille in Islay. The Group especially felt that Sabhal Mòr Ostaig must be actively involved in teacher training and a range of associated professional developments.
Recommendations:
- The Strathclyde/ UHIMI course should be made available from a wider range of partner colleges, particularly Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Colaiste Bheinn na Faoghla and Lochaber College. Strathclyde/ UHIMI courses should be effectively promoted in relevant areas as routes into teaching.
- Aberdeen University should also make their secondary part-time distance learning course available throughout Scotland.
- SEETLLD should, as soon as possible, revise its policy requiring the payment of fees by part-time teaching students.
- Sabhal Mòr Ostaig should be actively involved in teacher education and associated professional development.
- SFC should place a high priority on offering support for new initiatives as far as Gaelic Medium teacher education is concerned.
- There should be improved partnership and co-operation between Gaelic ITE providers and partners, especially as regards the joint usage of associate tutors.
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