Description
Established in 2017, the Migrant Teacher Project aims to increase the participation of Immigrant Internationally Educated Teachers (IIETs) in Irish primary and post-primary schools. Research shows that there are huge benefits to having a diverse teaching population. Migrant teachers bring a new dimension to classrooms with a diversity of perspectives and expertise that will benefit children and the education system. The project provides information, advice and training to migrant teachers who have qualified outside of Ireland, to help them to continue their profession in Ireland. All teachers who wish to work in publicly funded schools in Ireland must register with the Teaching Council of Ireland. The Council examines the qualifications of teachers qualified outside Ireland, and usually identifies 'shortfalls' that must be addressed prior to full registration. The Project works with these teachers to support them through the process of registration and seeking employment. The project provides a Bridging Programme for around 40 Migrant Teachers per year, facilitates a Schools Network and engages in research and advocacy work. This project is co-funded through the European Asylum Migration and Integration Fund by the Irish Department of Justice and Equality, and by the Department of Education and Skills.
- Institutions
- Teachers
Evaluation ex post
Not publicly available. Post-project oral evaluations undertaken.
Projects’ deliverables
Resources are available at the project site.
The Project also provides a Bridging Programme (‘Being a Teacher in Ireland’, see link below) aimed at teachers from immigrant backgrounds who hold international teaching qualifications at Primary and Post-Primary (Secondary) level, and who are now living in Ireland. It aims to provide additional knowledge, skills and confidence to enhance these teachers’ professional growth, and to help them to gain employment in schools in Ireland
https://www.mie.ie/en/research/research_projects/migrant_teacher_project/migrant_teacher_bridging_programme/
Reproducibility
Possible, following analysis of detail of associated project initiatives: Bridging Programme for Migrant Teachers Schools Networks.
Motivation for the submission
Focusing on migrant teacher education this initiative fills a gap in supporting the participation of migrant teachers to join the teaching profession. It recognises barriers they encounter and address them through its programme. Supporting greater diversity in the teaching profession, feeds into the greater diversity of role models children and for young people in education, where the importance of 'seeing oneself' mirrorred has significant impacts on equality of participation and outcome of education for students.
Additional comments
The Migrant Teachers Project launched a formal School Network in 2021. This network will offer support to Migrant Teachers, as they seek school experience and employment, and to schools, as they both support the Migrant Teachers and challenge the prevailing cultural barriers experienced by these teachers. Support and training will be offered to these schools as they become key advocates within the system, promoting the benefits of the integration and inclusion of Migrant Teachers in the Irish teaching workforce. This project is co-financed by the European Commission under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020 and is supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Education.
