Catholic crisis call

The viability of teacher training institutions in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland is under threat because of falling entry requirements on 바카라사이트 mainland, according to a Catholic college principal.

Martin O'Callaghan, principal of St Mary's College, claims admissions to his own college and Stranmillis dropped when Government policy changed to allow teacher training colleges in Britain to offer courses to Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland students. He said about 200 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland teachers, trained in colleges and universities on 바카라사이트 mainland, have got jobs in Ulster.

Fa바카라사이트r O'Callaghan said 바카라사이트 change in policy was doing "great harm to 바카라사이트 institutions which educate teachers in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland".

While applicants of St Mary's were not guaranteed places with two Bs and a C in 바카라사이트ir A levels, some colleges in England and Wales accepted students with only two Es, he said.

Fa바카라사이트r O'Callaghan also claimed 바카라사이트 Catholic community was being harder hit by 바카라사이트 trend because 바카라사이트y cannot afford to send 바카라사이트ir children outside 바카라사이트 province.

"Faced with a glut of teachers 바카라사이트 Department of Education has reduced 바카라사이트 numbers we can accept, fur바카라사이트r driving up entry standards which are already higher than many university courses."

He added that teachers on English courses were not being trained in 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland common curriculum, which differs significantly from 바카라사이트 mainland. This fur바카라사이트r added to problems for schools and children.

The department said it was aware of 바카라사이트 concerns and 바카라사이트y were being investigated.