From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has today announced ring-fenced funding of €1 million for students undertaking a Professional Master of Education (PME) in the coming academic year to assist students experiencing financial difficulties.
Students on PME courses face particular costs unique to their studies and this fund will aim to alleviate some of the pressures.
The funding is a key measure to support access to the teaching profession and is intended to address teacher supply issues.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“The Department of Education has put in place a package of measures to address teacher supply issues. Their Teacher Supply Action Plan commits to exploring the provision of additional supports for postgraduate initial teacher training. My department is supportive of this action plan and is committed to developing policies that improve teacher supply.
“With that in mind, the additional ring-fenced Student Assistance Fund funding of €1 million for this area is being continued for a third academic year in 2020/21. This is in tandem with benefits available under the Student Grant Scheme for the most disadvantaged post-graduate students.
“I hope this support will assist in addressing teacher supply issues. It also has the added benefit of supporting increased diversity in the teaching profession. This is an important factor in meeting the wider policy goals of the department from a social inclusion perspective, and complements commitments in the Programme for Government aimed at addressing supply side shortages, overcoming barriers and encouraging members from migrant and minority backgrounds into the teaching profession.
“Teachers are key role models in communities and it is important that our teaching profession reflects the diversity of our wider population. This funding will help those students with financial pressures and assist them to pursue their ambition to enter the teaching profession."
Students can apply to the access office in their higher education institution for support.
ENDS