A programme geared toward improving the skills of ‘out-of-field’ maths teachers at post-primary level is receiving up to €2m in funding from the Irish Government.
The Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, TD, said that in addition to the funding, the Government is making the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching course available free of charge in locations across Ireland, with specific provision for teachers in Irish-medium schools.
The course covers mathematical content and knowledge, as well as teaching and learning strategies and approaches relevant to the Project Maths syllabi being rolled out in all schools.
The course will be delivered locally and through online modules. It will consist of a blended learning programme based on a part-time (two-year) university-accredited professional diploma.
Four hundred places are available in the course this year and the deadline to apply is 24 May.
NUI Galway and the University of Limerick, though their strategic alliance, will provide accreditation, while the course is provided through a consortium led by the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching & Learning (NCE-MSTL), based in the University of Limerick.
Maths teacher image via Shutterstock
