Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and Educate Together have today launched a groundbreaking new Framework: ‘Aitheantas: The Framework for the Recognition of Certification to teach Ethical, Multi-Belief and Values Education’ (EMBVE), representing a significant milestone in the development of initial teacher education in Ireland. The Framework will support Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to prepare student teachers to teach Ethical, Multi-belief and Values Education in Educate Together and Community National Schools.
The publication of Aitheantas is timely as in a recent national survey by the Department of Education and Youth (DEY), 40 per cent of parents and guardians in religious-run schools indicated a preference for multi-denominational education for their children. This will lead to a significant increase in the number of Community National Schools and Educate Together Schools over the coming years.
The Framework has been developed in consultation with all five primary initial teacher education providers in Ireland, whose dedication and sustained engagement has been central to its publication.
Now, for the first time, the Aitheantas Framework provides a nationally recognised structure for certification to teach both the patrons’ programmes: Educate Together’s Learn Together and Community National Schools’ Goodness Me, Goodness You! This is significant because patrons’ programmes are taught in all schools for up to two hours per week, alongside the national curriculum.
Dr Séamus Conboy, Director of Schools, ETBI, said:
“Aitheantas represents the culmination of five years of collaboration between two patron bodies and five Higher Education Institutions. It is a testament to what can be achieved through shared vision and collective commitment. The impact of Aitheantas will be felt well into the future, supporting student teachers and enriching the learning experiences of children in a growing number of Community National Schools and Educate Together Schools.”
Educate Together CEO, Dr Emer Nowlan added:
“Demand for Educate Together and Community National Schools has grown steadily in recent years, and this Framework will help to ensure that graduating teachers have the skills and confidence they need to teach in diverse settings. We are delighted to have worked in collaboration with such committed academics from all the Colleges to develop this high-quality resource.”
ETBI and Educate Together will continue to support the enactment of the Aitheantas Framework in collaboration with HEIs, as well as the ongoing development of teacher education in this area.