This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Teachers must 'change or move on'
20/09/2006
Continued investment in the teaching profession will create the teachers for excellence needed to deliver the best education system in the world, the Scottish Learning Festival in Glasgow was told today.
Speaking to an audience of teachers, Education Minister Peter Peacock said a new era of professionalism, built on the improved pay, conditions and continuing professional development introduced by the teachers' agreement, was needed to ensure all children get the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
And he pledged that those teachers who were not willing or able to make the change the future required would be moved on.
The Minister said:
"I share the First Minister's ambition for Scotland's education system to lead the world. I want to build on the strong foundations and progress delivered by the McCrone agreement and invest even more time and attention into developing the teachers for excellence we need to deliver the best education system in the world.
"But we need to keep building and become even clearer about the new professional identity that will characterise the teachers for excellence we want.
"We need to clearly articulate the ethics, values and attitudes we expect for the modern era and secure a profession committed to progress. These will be teachers who embrace change and seize its opportunities - the majority of teachers are already making that journey and going that extra mile for their pupils and I want to do more to support their efforts.
"I have an ambitious vision of teaching for the 21st century. The professionalism and dedication I see in classrooms all across the country reassures me that by continuing to work together, we can achieve the continuing improvements in Scottish education that are so vital to the future success of our country.
"For the minority of teachers who cannot or will not make that journey it is time to make way for those who will."