Teachers Council Review – a positive step forward

24 May 2013

Teachers Council Review – a positive step forward

The Teachers Council sees the Review as a natural progression in positioning the Council to be the independent professional body for teachers, rather than a criticism of its current operations.

"We welcome the opportunity to review our current legislation and functions," said Alison McAlpine, Chair of the Teachers Council.

"In fact, in 2010 the Council announced its own review. This was overtaken by the Government’s review of the current workforce, 'A Vision for the Teaching Profession'.

"The taskforce recommended a review of the Council revising its current status as a Crown Entity to a statutory body in line with the Medical Council.

"If it is to be able to speak with the authority of a Medical Council or Law Society on professional matters then its status needs to be changed to an independent statutory body.

"The Ministerial Review of the Teachers Council received 177 submissions which overwhelmingly supported this move to independence.

"As a Crown Entity, despite being limited in its ability to speak out on professional matters, the Teachers Council has provided strong professional leadership in key areas.

"For example, the review and establishment of a new set of professional standards, the Registered Teacher Criteria, along with workshops for professional leaders in appraising teachers against these criteria.

"It was also a key player in the development of the Māori cultural framework for teachers, Tātaiako," said Ms McAlpine.

We will continue to work alongside the teaching profession and invite people to visit our website www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz to follow our progress.

ENDS

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