Paul Givan announces tuition fee plan for some student teachers in Northern Ireland

Students in Northern Ireland set to teach in Irish language schools and maths, science or technology subjects are to have their tuition fees paid.

Some will also receive £1,000 a month towards their living costs while they study.

It is hoped the move will address a shortage of teachers in maths, chemistry, physics, technology, computing and design and Irish medium education.

The bursaries have been announced by Education Minister Paul Givan.

It is the first time such a scheme has been introduced in Northern Ireland.

Students taking a four-year undergraduate education degree in maths, and technology and design, will have their tuition fees paid for the duration of their course – about £5,000 a year or £20,000 in total.

Those taking a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Irish medium education, maths, chemistry, physics, information technology or technology and design will have their fees paid and also receive a one year bursary of £12,000 towards living costs – funding of more than £17,000 for their year of study.

Students take a PGCE to enable them to teach after they complete their undergraduate degree.

The payments are due to take effect in September 2026.

All students who receive the bursaries are expected to teach in schools in Northern Ireland for at least two years after graduating, according to the Department of Education.

Some schools in Northern Ireland have reported difficulty in recruiting maths, science or technology teachers.

The shortage of Irish medium teachers at secondary level has been highlighted by the Irish medium sector several times, despite the number of pupils in Irish medium education continuing to rise.

The education minister said the bursaries aimed to tackle teacher shortages in critical subjects.

Givan also said it represented a “strategic investment in our education system and economy” and would safeguard science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.