Ireland’s Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, has announced the launch of three new free upskilling programmes for post-primary teachers in Computer Science, French, and Politics & Society, aimed at bolstering teacher supply in critical subject areas.
The new two-year courses, beginning in September 2025, will be offered by Technological University Dublin (Computer Science), Trinity College Dublin (French), and the University of Limerick (Politics & Society). They follow earlier initiatives in Mathematics, Physics, Spanish, and Irish, which have collectively supported over 980 teachers to date.
“These courses are free and will help teachers to upskill in a flexible way, increasing their own job opportunities while addressing recruitment challenges in each of these subjects,” said Minister McEntee, highlighting the importance of subject-specific teacher supply in improving classroom experiences for students.
The new programmes will be delivered flexibly, allowing participation from both full-time and part-time teachers, including those currently not in employment. Graduates of these courses will meet Teaching Council requirements, enabling them to register and teach their new subject specialism at the highest level in post-primary schools.
Each programme is funded for two annual intakes—in 2025 and 2026—and is expected to accommodate over 200 teachers in total. The Department of Education will cover all tuition fees.
The announcement comes amid wider government efforts to tackle shortages in key teaching subjects, particularly STEM and modern languages, and follows concerns raised by school leaders about staffing challenges in these areas.
For more details or to apply:
- Computer Science (TUD): [email protected]
- French (TCD): [email protected]
- Politics & Society (UL): [email protected]
These upskilling programmes are part of the Irish government’s broader commitment to teacher professional development and educational equity. Further information is available via the Department of Education and the participating higher education institutions.
Minister for Education Helen McEntee (Pictured)
