Post-primary teachers will now have the opportunity to upskill in the area of Guidance Counselling through a new postgraduate programme to be provided by Maynooth University on behalf of the Department of Education. The new part-time course will provide qualified teachers with the opportunity to work towards achieving a Level 9 qualification outside of school hours.
A comprehensive tendering process for Higher Education Institutions interested in providing training courses for post-primary teachers in the area of guidance saw Maynooth University emerge successful. Contracts have now been signed for the programme, of which Cycle 1 will commence in January 2025, Cycle 2 in September 2025 and Cycle 3 in September 2026. Further details of the programme and application details will follow.
Guidance is an entitlement in post-primary schools as per the Education Act (1998), which states that a school shall use its available resources to ensure that students have access to appropriate guidance to assist them in their educational and career choices. Guidance in schools involves a range of learning experiences designed to assist students to develop self-management skills which will lead to effective choices and decisions about their lives. It encompasses the three separate, but interlinked areas of personal and social development, educational guidance and career guidance.