A motion calling on the INTO to "actively campaign" for the abolition of the Irish competency test for teachers has been overwhelmingly approved by delegates to its Northern conference, writes John Downes
In a move which indicates the increasing frustration among teachers trained outside the State at the demands of the Scrúdú Cailíocht na Gaeilge (SCG), the Carrickfergus/Newtownabbey branch of the INTO received unanimous support for its motion.
This stated that the exam should be abolished on the grounds of "inequality of opportunity for members of INTO in Northern Ireland."
Under current Department of Education rules, primary teachers trained in Northern Ireland or abroad are given provisional recognition for a period of five years.
During this time, however, they must pass the SCG Irish language examination.
If they fail to do so, they cannot be recognised as fully qualified teachers, although an extension of one year has been considered in individual cases.
According to Mr John Carr, general secretary of the INTO, there are two distinct groups of teachers affected by the demand to pass the test.
The first group would have some knowledge of Irish, having learned it at school here, but would have trained outside the State. The second group would have no knowledge of Irish, having never learned it at school.
"Primary schools have a chronic teacher supply issue," he said.
"These teachers have played a huge part in ensuring that most children are taught by a trained teacher. The Department of Education and Science has a responsibility to make these courses available to them."
A review of the format of the SCG took place in 2001, and its final report is currently with the Department of Education.
While some progress has been made, Mr Carr said a great deal more needs to be done.
Aspects of the SCG course are over-demanding, he said, and have little to do with the demands of primary teaching, a fact underlined by the high failure rate among students.
Less than 35 per cent of those who sat the exam in October 2003 passed all four sections.
"One of the reasons for such a high failure rate is the total lack of these courses [for students attempting the SCG]," he said.
"Therefore, the majority of teachers are studying alone or paying for private tuition."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said it was currently examining the possibility of establishing courses in other areas around the country, which would include Northern Ireland.
How these courses might be funded was also under consideration, she added.