Teaching chiefs outraged at axeing of skills scheme

Published on Friday 10 February 2012 00:00

TEACHERS’ leaders have criticised a “short-sighted” decision to scrap a scheme which allows members of the profession to increase their pay by developing their skills throughout their careers.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said ending the chartered teacher scheme would act as a “disincentive” for teachers to continue to develop throughout their careers.

The decision was announced yesterday by education secretary Michael Russell as he set out his response to the McCormac review of teacher employment, which was published in September.

Mr Russell said the chartered teacher scheme would be replaced by a new masters qualification, based on a model pioneered in Finland, while moves to introduce “external experts” into the classroom would be looked at by Education Scotland.

He said: “I have, therefore, set the National Partnership Group the task of bringing forward proposals to deliver opportunities for teachers to work towards masters-level qualifications.”

But Ronnie Smith, the EIS’s general secretary, said: “The decision taken by the cabinet secretary to scrap Scotland’s world-leading chartered teacher scheme is incredibly short-sighted and flies in the face of attempts to enhance teacher professionalism in Scotland’s schools.”

Ann Ballinger, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, added: “This decision to end the chartered teacher scheme devalues both the professionalism of teachers and the merits of teaching as a career choice.

“There is now no route for the experienced professional to develop his or her career and remain in the classroom.”

Mr Russell said he would ask Education Scotland to look into proposals for increasing the use of “external experts” in the classroom.

However, he said that he was “explicitly ruling out” a controversial model attempted by Renfrewshire Council, which saw visitors brought in to replace teachers in the classroom.

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duelaynomore

Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 03:32 PM

There are many good and motivated teachers, but all of us in whatever profession we enter, go "stale" at some point. In service teaching programmes should work if taken seriously and are initially paid for by the individual, who then has a vested interest in successful completion, rather than a free two day holiday at a smart hotel on the edge of the city, doing a nonsense course. Perhaps if several such courses are completed well, and the wee exam at the end is passed, then another increment to salary could be earned? Having Master teachers chartered teachers, is bit like the medical specialists, who control the flow of patients into their paying surgeries which are located INSIDE our NHS hospitals...just how does that "pork barrelling" system work again? UNfortunately ageism is very real, and many children will disrespect teachers who are as old as their grandparents, especially if there is any perceived weakness in their technology knowledge and ability to apply it to the classroom or give practical examples of how it can be used in the wider society. Teachers must maintain their relevence to their audience, but younger is not necessarily better, as the young teacher often has discipline and class management issues to overcome. Maybe we should hire graduates as teachers for the first 20 years of their lives and then transfer them at 40 into the civil service to run councils etc...

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Sawney Has-Been

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 06:44 AM

*2 Sally - how do you propose to educate children without money? Are you suggesting we staff schools with volunteers and para-teachers? It is precisely because it is about children's education (including my own) that all the cost cutting should be exposed at every level. In all honesty, anyone who thinks that service delivery is not being affected by pay freezes and resource cuts is a bewildered fool. It's slightly humorous watching Russell and Maxwell chant about a world class service while they provide third class backing.

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Taigh na Croiche

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 01:15 PM

#2 - not true and i'm sure if you contacted the teacher training collages that you would get the figures. As to capping the age - many teachers burn-out before that. However, how on earth you propose to get such legilsation past the various courts in Scotland, UK and the EU, I don't know. Certainly, my experience of young teachers is that most ARE keen and enthusiastic but many lack a comprehensive knowledge of current affairs and world events not to mention being scared to stand up to bullying headteachers.

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Sally Longlegs

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:13 AM

No it certainly is not about the money its about childrens education. There are too many poor teachers who should be retired or sacked. No teacher should be allowed to teach after the age of 60 or 30 years employment in teaching. This would allow young ,keen, and good teachers to be employed. I am told however that the teaching degree currently on offer leaves a lot to be desired. I am told that it is impossible to fail! Can anyone enlighten me?

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Sawney Has-Been

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:52 AM

It's not about the money......!

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