Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock T.D. recently addressed 400 teachers at their enrolment in the new Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching which took place at the University of Limerick.

Speaking at the event, Minister Sherlock said; “This programme is being made available nationwide free of charge at a cost of over €2 million and the response to the programme from the teaching community has been overwhelming. I salute the dedication and commitment of all those undertaking this programme of study.”

The National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL) based at the University of Limerick is to lead the delivery of the national programme for upskilling out-of-field teachers of mathematics.

Minister Sherlock added; “The National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning is at pivotal facility in supporting Ireland’s plans to improving our mathematics and science competencies.”

The NCE-MSTL drew attention to the systemic issue of out-of-field teachers of mathematics in a report which found that 48% of teachers teaching mathematics at post-primary level had no qualification in mathematics teaching.  These findings were further evidenced by the fact that, in excess of 800 applications were received from teachers for the 400 places made available in year 1 of the programme. Given these levels of demand, it is now likely that the Department of Education and Skills will allocate a further intake of teachers in a second cohort beginning in September 2013.

The NCE-MSTL leads a national consortium of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) established for the purposes of delivering this programme. The consortium includes: NUI Galway, University College Dublin (UCD), St Patricks’ College, Thurles; Institute of Technology, Sligo; Institute of Technology, Tallaght; Institute of Technology, Carlow; Cork Institute of Technology; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Letterkenny Institute of Technology; Waterford Institute of Technology.  The consortium also includes, through the NCE-MSTL, its founding partners in the Shannon Consortium [UL (lead), IT Tralee, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate College].

Partnering with Google Ireland brings distinctive benefits to the programme enabling the providers to maximize the blended learning opportunities for students and provides possibilities for use of portable and mobile computing to enhance mathematics teaching in Irish schools.

The programme is closely aligned with the needs of out-of-field teachers of mathematics, Project Maths and the requirements of the Teaching Council.