National Guideline on Pre Training, Entry, and First Appointment of Religious Education Teachers 15 Sept 2000
Rationale
The maintenance and enhancement of the Special Character of Catholic Integrated Schools requires a continued supply of well-qualified, competent teachers who are grounded in the ethos of the Catholic School and educated in Scripture, Theology and Religious Education.
I. PRE-SERVICE EDUCATION
Purposes
- To work towards the recognition by all Teacher Training Providers, of graduate or equivalent level qualification in Religious Education and/or Theology, as an acceptable entry qualification for those intending to teach in Catholic Secondary Schools.
- To move rapidly towards a situation whereby Boards of Trustees recognise that employment as a teacher of Religious Education, at the secondary level, requires a professional qualification commensurate with that in other subject areas.
- To encourage Boards of Trustees of primary and secondary schools, when they are employing new teachers, to give preference, where appropriate, to those who have some successful pre-service preparation in the areas of Religious Education, Theology or Scripture.
Tasks
- That all Dioceses work towards having the introductory Catechetical Studies Course accepted as a part of the relevant Teacher Education Providers' Course.
- That the New Zealand Catholic Education Office negotiate with Teacher Training Providers to achieve recognition of Religious Education/Theology qualifications as acceptable entry criteria for those intending to teach in Catholic Secondary Schools.
- That Diocesan Offices work to raise the expectation of employing bodies so that they actively seek Religious Education teachers with professional qualifications in this field, as is the case in other curriculum areas.
II. ENTRY
Purposes
- To define a career path in Religious Education that attracts candidates to choose specialisation in Religious Education in Catholic Integrated Schools.
- To support and encourage teachers who have chosen to specialise in Religious Education in Catholic Integrated Schools.
Tasks
- That the National Centre for Religious Studies distribute, to bodies designated by the appropriate Diocesan offices, the National Curriculum for Catechetical Studies.
- That Diocesan Offices ensure the provision of teaching facilities and qualified personnel to enable the delivery of the National Curriculum in Catechetical Studies.
- That the New Zealand Catholic Education Office develop and distribute to appropriate Diocesan Offices, promotional material outlining a career path as a Religious Education specialist.
III. BEGINNING TEACHERS
Purpose
- To provide continuing support and educational opportunities for those beginning as Religious Education teachers.
Task
- That Diocesan Offices facilitate the establishment of structures for liaison among relevant parties (Board of Trustees / DRS / Principal / Catechetical Coordinator / Religious Education Advisers / Parish Priest) to ensure continuing support and education of Religious Education teachers.
Outcome
- The provision of high quality pre-service education and support for beginning teachers of Religious Education.
- The articulation of a career path for Religious Education teachers.
- The deliberate recruitment, by Boards of Trustees, of Religious Education teachers who have a specialised background education in religion and/or theology.
- The development and maintenance of a continued supply of well qualified teachers to maintain and enhance the Special Catholic Character of our schools.
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