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When
I took up my post as Minister for Children and Education,
I said that I was committed to forming a partnership with teachers to raise
educational standards and to help to promote the professional development of
teachers. I am very pleased therefore that the report of the recent thorough
review of the GTC, and the forthcoming Improvement in Scottish Education Bill,
provide an opportunity to modernise the General Teaching Council for Scotland
and prepare it to play its part in enhancing professional standards and improving
the quality of teaching in Scotland in the 21st century.
We are fortunate in Scotland in having had a Teaching Council in place for nearly 35 years. But much has changed in that time, not least the emphasis now placed on lifelong learning and the need for professional development beyond initial qualifications. It is therefore right that we are proposing that the Council should move beyond its role in regulating entry to the profession, into the areas of teachers' continuing professional development and competence.
We want a balanced, representative and effective General Teaching Council able to play a full and active part in improving Scottish education. Our proposals are directed towards that objective. We look forward to hearing your views.
Sam Galbraith, MSP
Minister for Children and Education
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