The Teaching Council was established on a statutory basis in March 2006. It is the professional standards body for the teaching profession, which promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching. It acts in the interests of the public good while upholding and enhancing standards in the teaching profession.
The Council consists of 37 members.
The Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Council. The Director works closely with Council members and has overall responsibility for the implementation of the strategic goals of the Council. The Director is supported by a Senior Management Team and Council staff.
Statement of Purpose
The Council’s statement of purpose is set out in the Teaching Council Strategic Plan 2022 to 2027.
“The Teaching Council promotes and supports the highest standards in teachers’ professionalism and teacher education through effective policies, regulation and research. We seek to foster a conducive landscape for sustainable and responsive teaching and learning in our communities. We do this by collaborating with the Department of Education and all stakeholders in an increasing diversity of innovative ways. This work will ensure quality teaching and learning for all, through enhanced creativity, inclusion, diversity, leadership, and wellbeing. This in turn will further develop public confidence and trust in the teaching profession in Ireland, and in education more broadly”
Statutory Functions
The Council’s statutory functions are set out in the Teaching Council Acts 2001 to 2015 and include the following:
- promote and regulate the teaching profession
- maintain and improve standards of teaching, knowledge, skill, and competence
- establish and maintain the register of teachers
- conduct inquiries into and, where appropriate, impose sanctions in relation to, the fitness to teach of any registered teacher
- establish, publish, review and maintain a code of professional conduct for teachers, which will include standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence, and
- promote teachers’ ongoing learning.
Click the links below to read more about the Council’s statutory functions -
Vetting
Registration
Teacher Education
Professional Standards
Teachers’ Learning and Research
Corporate Affairs and Human Resources
