Sir, – Your report (Education, March 12th) that Ukrainian teachers are to be “fast-tracked” through the registration process to allow them to teach in Irish classrooms is a welcome development.
Without registration it is impossible to teach in this country and the process usually, according to the Teaching Council, “may take up to 12 weeks”.
I have for the past eight months however, followed the efforts of a science teacher who qualified in England, to attain registration in this country. He began the process in July 2021 through payment of a not inconsiderable fee, but frustratingly found subsequent requests for an update on his application ignored.
Having left a permanent teaching position in England, he found himself back there again in January as a substitute teacher, his plans to marry and settle in Ireland on hold. With the school year nearing its final term he was finally granted registration here last week.
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The Irish response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has been laudable. Let us hope that the Teaching Council develops similar levels of urgency, sensitivity and understanding to all teachers who seek registration in this country although qualified elsewhere.
Yours, etc,
– Dr BRENDAN
MAC MAHON,
School of Education.
NUI Galway.