News Release

EIS WELCOMES FUTURE INDEPENDENT STATUS OF GTC SCOTLAND

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has welcomed today's announcement by the Scottish Government on the future independent status of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). The Scottish Government's confirmation of independent status for the GTCS follows a recent consultation which sought the views of stakeholders on the future status and responsibilities of the GTCS.

Commenting on today's announcement by the Scottish Government, EIS General Secretary Ronnie Smith said, “The EIS welcomes today's confirmation by the Scottish Government of future independent status for the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The EIS supports the work of the GTCS as a democratic, regulatory body for the teaching profession in Scotland and it is right that, in the future, the GTCS will now be able to carry outs its work as an independent guardian of teacher professionalism in Scotland.”

Mr Smith added, “While the move to full independent status for the GTCS will bring many new challenges for the GTCS, the EIS believes that the established and productive working relationship that exists between the GTCS and teacher representatives will continue to be a positive for Scottish education.”

Mr Smith went on to say, “However, there are some areas of concern in the proposals outlined by the Scottish Government today. In particular, the EIS and teachers themselves remain sceptical about proposals for a system of re-accreditation for teachers. Scottish teachers are already some of the best qualified in the world, and are held to a particularly high set of standards of professionalism and conduct. We would be particularly concerned that any future system of re-accreditation should not be overly bureaucratic. The GTCS already has a considerable number of statutory powers to ensure the highest standards of teacher professionalism and it uses them to good effect. Potentially adding a system of re-accreditation may add little, if anything, to this process.”

Mr Smith also added, “The EIS is also disappointed that the Scottish Government has failed to confirm a central role for the GTCS in ensuring the highest standards of teaching in the further education sector. Compulsory GTCS registration for all college lecturers would ensure consistently high standards of teaching throughout Scotland's colleges, and place lecturers on an equal footing with their school colleagues. Given the amount of partnership working between schools and colleges, and the key role of lecturers in the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence in the post-16 stages, it would be a missed opportunity if further education standards are not brought in line with those in schools.”

Scottish Government's Publication - Towards an independent General Teaching council for Scotland: Consultatin on the future status of the GTCS - Analysis of the Consultation and the Scottish Government's Response (click here)