New rules on teaching in Ireland could have a negative impact on the subject choices available in schools.

This is the fear among secondary schools in the country after it was revealed new legal stipulations will mean only qualified teachers are able to take classes, the Irish Examiner reports.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn revealed that under Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act, teachers will not be paid for their work after November 1st if they are not registered with the Teaching Council and do not have a recognised qualification - but this has raised concerns that pupils could miss out on certain subjects if the right teachers are not available for them.

The Department of Education explained schools will have to make all reasonable efforts to find a registered teacher, with a letter sent out by the department to schools reading: "It is in the educational interests of students that the people delivering the courses have those specialist qualifications or experience."

Written by Donal Walsh

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