Incompetent teachers' escape route to be closed

A LOOPHOLE that allows incompetent teachers to escape the threat of being struck off is to be closed.

In the past, teachers have been able to avoid disciplinary action by moving to a job in another area before their old employer can set a date for a disciplinary hearing.

Education secretary Mike Russell has pledged to crack down on the practice, and proposed powers, being laid before the Scottish Parliament today, will give the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) the right to examine competence cases, even if a teacher has already resigned from their post.

Mr Russell said: "This will close the loophole that enables incompetent teachers to move jobs without the GTCS being alerted and being able to act.

"We need to ensure appropriate procedures are in place to deal with the small minority of teachers who are not up to the job, and I will continue to look at other ways of ensuring only the very best teachers are employed in Scottish schools."

Currently, employers must refer an incompetent teacher to the GTCS if they dismiss the teacher or if the teacher has resigned and a disciplinary hearing date has been set. However, if a hearing date has not been set, teachers are able to resign and take up employment elsewhere without the GTCS being informed.

The change is among a raft of changes that will also make the GTCS an independent body and introduce a system of re-accreditation for teachers in Scotland.

Mr Russell added: "The vast majority of our teachers are of a high quality and these changes are all about maintaining those very high standards and reinforcing the standing and professionalism of Scotland's teachers."

The latest moves have been welcomed by Tony Finn, chief executive of the GTCS.