Exploring issues around teacher supply and the impact on Student Teachers’ experience of an Initial Teacher Education programme in Ireland 

Ref: 03/28/2025 - 3202026
Name: Patricia Nunan, Programme Director PME
Email Address: pnunan@hiberniacollege.net
Phone Number: Patricia Nunan, Programme Director PME
Institution Address: Hibernia College
Seeking a partner/s in: Northern Ireland

The issue of teacher supply is a concern which permeates the consciousness of stakeholders in education the world over. It is not a problem unique to Ireland and yet it persists in prevalence. (Harford & Fleming, 2023). In March 2024 there were 78, 646 teachers employed in Ireland. Numerous interventions have been introduced by the Department of Education such as an increase in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) graduates, additional places on ITE programmes as well as a new bursary-type fee refund scheme for teachers graduating with a Professional Master of Education (PME) in 2024. Despite these interventions, the challenges in teacher supply persist and student teachers are frequently identified as the solution to fill the gaps.

This research study is situated in a Higher Education Institution in Ireland and is undertaken during the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme of Initial Teacher Education (ITE).  The aim of this research is to explore the experiences of student teachers on the PME programme at a time of intense teacher supply issues. The purpose of the research is to determine the impact, if any, on the student teacher’s ability to fully engage with their PME programme in general, and the practicum element in particular. The study will also investigate the impact on the student teacher’s overall wellbeing and work/life/study balance.