Report of the International Review Panel on the structure of initial teacher education provision in Ireland

In April 2012, following a request from the Minister for Education and Skills, an International Review Panel was established to advise on the structure of initial teacher education (ITE) provision in the state. Based on international practice, the Department of Education Services (DES) was concerned that, in Ireland, the large number of teacher education programmes being facilitated by a large number of higher education institutions (HEIs) was not in the best interest of quality teacher education. The purpose of the review was to consider the structure of ITE provision in Ireland and to identify possible new structures based on a reconfiguration of existing programmes in order to strengthen the quality of teacher education.

The report is set out in seven sections: (1) Background to the review; (2) Terms of reference; (3) Current international trends in initial teacher education; (4) Current Irish provision for initial teacher education; (5) Conclusions and general observations; (6) Specific recommendations on restructuring initial teacher education provision; and (7) Supplementary issues.

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