This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ask Hugh - as part of consultation
29/12/2006
Teachers now have the chance to log on and share their views with Education Minister Hugh Henry as part of a consultation designed to allow teachers to shape the future of their profession.
From today, as part of the Teachers for Excellence debate, teachers can pose questions to Mr Henry online at www.teachersforexcellence.co.uk.
The Minister's responses will be posted from January 12.
The online debate - the first time the Executive has used a discussion forum for consultation - aims to establish what skills and expertise teachers will need to deliver A Curriculum for Excellence. It's also an opportunity for teachers to air their views on the emerging 3-18 curriculum.
Since the forum was launched on December 8, there have been around 65 posts and the various threads have been viewed nearly 4,000 times.
Mr Henry said:
"The Teachers for Excellence forum has become a focal point for lively debate, constructive criticism and positive suggestions in recent weeks.
"I'm particularly pleased - and not surprised - that our teachers have risen to the challenge of helping shape the future of their profession. Given the opportunity to influence their own careers, many teachers have grabbed the chance with both hands.
"The response to this debate has surpassed my expectations. We will carefully consider all contributions and hope to be able to offer a response in early March."
To stimulate debate, thought-provoking articles have been posted on the website by leading lights in the education world, including Terry Dozier, the senior adviser on teaching in the Clinton administration, National CPD co-ordinator Margaret Alcorn and Matthew MacIver, chief executive/registrar at the GTCS.