This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Greater flexibility for student teachers
26/05/2005
More flexible access to teacher training, using
part-time and distance learning courses, is on the cards
for trainee teachers in Scotland thanks to a review of
teacher training.
Universities and councils are also to work more closely
together to improve student placements as part of the drive
to ensure teacher education prepares new teachers for 21st
century challenges.
Education Minister Peter Peacock today outlined the
actions he wants universities, councils, schools, the
General Teaching Council for Scotland and the Executive to
take to strengthen training. These include:
- Making entry to teaching more accessible through
distance-learning based and part-time
qualifications
- Increasing emphasis on classroom management and
issues relating to discipline and additional support
needs
- Continuous professional development for teachers -
particularly those in the early years of their
career
- Replacing the current ad-hoc arrangements for
student teacher placements with better managed,
strategic, local authority arrangements
Mr Peacock said:
"Scotland has a reputation for producing high-quality
teachers and that is something we can be proud of.
"However, we can't afford to rest on our laurels - we
have high ambitions for each and every one of our pupils.
But we must acknowledge that the challenges facing teachers
today are very different from those of the past. Our
challenge is to ensure that new teachers leave university
and their probation fully equipped with the skills and
qualities they need to help shape the future generation of
ambitious, confident Scots.
"We also need to ensure that those who want to train to
be teachers can have more opportunities to do so. We can
help this by removing some of the hurdles from their
path.
"For instance, we know that part-time or distance
learning courses are more suitable for those who simply
cannot leave home to study full-time, perhaps because of
work or family commitments.
"Great teachers make a real difference to children's
lives and teacher training is a vital part of creating
great teachers. The outcomes of this review will ensure
that future generations of teachers can look forward to
better training to prepare them for their time in the
classroom."
Seven Scottish universities have a Faculty or School of
Education - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paisley,
Strathclyde and Stirling.
The Initial Teacher Education review was one of the key
elements of A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century. The
first stage of the review looked at relations between
councils and training providers as well as considering
student placements. The second phase of the review was
designed to break down barriers to teacher training and
widen access.