1401. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department have plans to reduce the Professional Master of Education from two years back to one year, in order to cut down the high financial and time barriers that deter graduates from choosing a teaching career; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58819/26]

The Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary and post-primary teachers. Changes to the duration and content of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes were made in response to recommendations in the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020 and were incorporated into the Teaching Council’s accreditation standards.

What was previously the ‘H-Dip’ of 18 months for primary and 1 year for post-primary has now become the two-year PME for both. These standards were developed following extensive research and consultation to ensure the programme would effectively develop the skills, knowledge, understanding, and professional values expected of newly qualified teachers.

The reforms aimed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools, which is central to the educational outcomes of children. The extended duration allows for substantial periods of school placement and includes mandatory elements such as literacy, numeracy, and ICT in teaching and learning. These reforms are also intended to ensure that graduating teachers are best placed to support learners from all backgrounds, including students with additional learning needs.

In addition to the above, there have also been several major changes for teachers in recent times, including the redeveloped primary curriculum and senior cycle reform, which both ITE programmes and their students need to factor into already full PME programmes. The Department therefore considers it necessary for PME programmes to continue to be two years in length, in order to provide teachers with the tools that they need to become successful teachers in the modern classroom.