Plans to create a hybrid course allowing teachers to take part in both primary and secondary teaching are currently underway. Writing for The Irish Times, Joe Humphreys states that the proposal is contained in plans by TCD, UCD, Marino Institute of Education and The National College of Art and Design, who hope to merge their teacher training facilities into one centre.

The course is proposed as a two year postgraduate programme with students still opting for primary or post primary teaching. However, a module would be made available that would aim to bridge the gap between the two sectors.The aim of this hybrid course would be to allow primary teachers to work up to the Junior Cycle, and to allow secondary teachers to teach more senior primary school students.

The four participating institutions have committed themselves to creating a new, virtual centre for teacher education. This plan replaces the initial one to locate the centre at Marino.

According to the Higher Education Authority, the four partner institutions are meeting with the Teaching Council next month to discuss the plan.

The proposal is likely to meet strong opposition from teacher unions.

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