Fake CV claim teacher back on register

A MATHS teacher struck off for falsifying a job reference has been restored to the register.

Ali Abdel-Motalab, who had been teaching at the city’s Arabic school, said his life had been “destroyed” by the 2007 decision to ban him from the classroom.

The 51-year-old forged a reference from the principal of a school in Prestonpans, East Lothian, he had never met.

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After his deception was discovered, he was struck off and could not even get work as a teaching assistant.

The General Teaching Council Scotland decided yesterday he should be allowed to return to the classroom.

John Gibb, solicitor for Mr Motalab, said: “He has not tried to hide from the fact it was appalling conduct, but he is 51 years old now and it was four-and-a-half years ago.”

Mr Motalab said: “Every day I think about what I have done and it has destroyed my life. I don’t know what to tell my kids. I have not worked for five years. I accept that I was very, very wrong.”

The disciplinary sub-committee unanimously agreed that Mr Motalab could be restored to the teaching register.