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In an effort to combat the shortage of teachers in Northern Ireland, the government has announced a new initiative to cover tuition fees for students who plan to teach in Irish language schools, as well as those specializing in maths, science, or technology subjects. Additionally, some of these students will also receive a monthly stipend of £1,000 to assist with living expenses during their studies. The hope is that this program will help address the scarcity of teachers in critical areas such as maths, chemistry, physics, technology, computing, and design, as well as Irish medium education.
All students benefiting from these bursaries will be required to commit to teaching in Northern Ireland schools for a minimum of two years following their graduation. This scheme, introduced by Education Minister Paul Givan, marks the first time such a program has been implemented in Northern Ireland. Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in maths, technology, or design will have their tuition fees covered for the entirety of their four-year course, totaling around £20,000.
Similarly, students pursuing a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in various subjects including Irish medium education, maths, and science, will have their fees paid and receive a £12,000 bursary for living expenses. This funding amounting to over £17,000 will support them during their year of study, as they prepare to enter the teaching profession. These financial benefits are set to begin in September 2026, aiming to incentivize more students to pursue careers in teaching in critical subjects.
The scarcity of teachers in maths, science, and technology subjects has been a challenge for many schools in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, the shortage of Irish medium teachers in secondary education has been a concern raised by the Irish medium sector despite a growing number of pupils in Irish medium education. Minister Givan emphasized that these bursaries are intended to address these crucial teacher shortages and make a strategic investment in the education system and economy, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM)
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