Teachers have given a guarded welcome to the Education Minister’s proposals to improve professional development opportunities.
John O’Dowd was speaking as he outlined the next steps in his drive to raise educational standards which he said would focus on teaching and leadership in schools.
Avril Hall Callaghan, General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers’ Union and Chair of the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council, said they appreciated the Minister’s acknowledgement of the role they played in schools but hoped he would liaise with teachers to identify how best to provide future support and career development opportunities.
“Northern Ireland enjoys some of the best academic results in the UK and that is due in no small measure to the high calibre of its teachers who are committed and make the most of opportunities to further develop their expertise,” said Ms Hall Callaghan.
“Stifling opportunities teachers have to further develop their expertise and their careers can only create a negative effect on the teaching which our children receive in the classroom. Now, more than ever, our teachers need to be world class if Northern Ireland is to compete on a global scale, for in this internet age there are few geographical boundaries. We must be sure that our students can compete with the best from any continent and it is the teachers who underpin all that.
“If sixth formers look at teaching as a prospective career but see little chance of professional development, they’ll look elsewhere and we will lose those top students who could make such a difference.
“For this reason we welcome the Minister’s proposals but would ask that he consults the profession on how best to deliver the support – it is those at the chalk face who know first hand where that support is needed.”
The Minister is proposing strengthening the role of the General Teaching Council as the professional body in supporting teachers and says his department will back the continuing professional development of teachers through a new strategy for teacher education.
He is also proposing to provide within the new ESA administration of schools a professional support service as well as investigating how best to develop leadership skills among schools principals, vice principals, Boards of Governors and others in leadership positions in schools.