A chara, - In response to Ms Perdita Quinlan's letter (January 31st), I believe that the language entry requirement for primary teacher training should be higher in both Irish and English.
However unlike Irish students trying to become primary teachers. Bearing in mind that all who qualify must teach Irish all through their careers, C3 in higher-level Irish, is, in fact, too, low an entry requirement.
Consequently we have the deplorable position over the past 30 years, in which with the exception of that small minority who take Irish as a B.Ed degree subject, trainees are becoming officially qualified teachers every year, many of whom have no command of a language which they must teach from their first day in charge of a class. And the Minister's Education Bill is proposing no solution to that educational antithesis - is mise,
An Charraig Dhubh, Co Bhaile Atha Cliath.