New rules on dealing with incompetent teachers laid out

INCOMPETENT teachers will be dealt with more quickly under proposals launched by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

The governing body has published new rules laying out how it will investigate individuals where it is alleged they have fallen short of the standards of conduct or professional competence.

The Fitness to Teach and Appeals Rules aim to deal with cases fairly and justly while avoiding delays. A consultation on the proposals will run until 17 October.

It is also consulting on two other issues – revisions to the Code of Professionalism and Conduct, and the introduction of a new Student Teacher Code for teachers training to join the profession. GTCS chief executive Anthony Finn said: “We believe real value will be gained from inviting members of the teaching profession, the educational community and the public generally to comment on the significant changes that the draft proposes.”