PROFESSIONAL development must be considered alongside teacher training, according to Northern Ireland’s biggest locally based teaching union.
Avril Hall Callaghan, General Secretary of Ulster Teachers’ Union, was speaking as the Department of Employment and Learning asked for submissions from stakeholders on its review of teacher training.
“Any such study is an opportunity to look at how best both the needs of student teachers and their future pupils can be met,” she said.
“At a time of global economic crisis, we must ensure our young people are educated to the highest standards to enable them to compete at world level. Their education is our future but in order to ensure a sound investment we must ensure that their teachers too have the best possible skills.
“This review is a chance to look at our system as it stands and to look at the future, to what we want for our children and their educators; a system which is inclusive, open and shared.”
However, Ms Hall Callaghan said teacher training should not be considered in isolation but alongside career development.
“Career development is an area that has long concerned us and about which we have been increasingly vocal. However, this is a chance for the department to embrace some imaginative thinking on the subject,” she said.
“As technology marches on it is essential that teachers remain a step ahead if they are to provide worthwhile education and support for their students in an increasingly competitive world.
“Career development is also crucial if the profession is to continue to attract the best candidates, people who can see a long term future for themselves in the classroom.
“But in order for teachers to undertake the kind of continued training to fulfil all this, school principals need support.”
For more details, visit DEL’s website at www.delni.gov.uk/teacher-educa-tion-infrastructure.
The closing date for submissions is December 18 and the final report will be issued in 2014.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland competitors picked up 19 medals at this year’s Skills Show.
Seven gold, four silver and eight bronze medals were awarded at the competition in Birmingham last week with skills ranging from electrical installation and automotive body repair to landscape gardening, caring and popular music.
Northern Ireland competitors were also awarded five commendations in hairdressing and construction skills.
The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event, which celebrates the importance of skills to economic growth.
Taking part enables competitors to build on their skills, test their knowledge against their peers and showcase their potential to current and future employers.
During the three days of the show, over 700 of the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners competed in front of 100,000 visitors in the World Skills UK National competition finals, aspiring to be the best in the UK in their skill area.