§ 14. Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what means he intends that teachers should be appraised; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephI should like to see teacher appraisal conducted at the level of the individual school by the teachers themselves, in accordance with general arrangements introduced and monitored by local education authorities.
§ Mr. BruinvelsI welcome my right hon. Friend's commitment to proper teacher appraisal. However, is he aware that Fred Jarvis, the secretary of the National Union of Teachers, and various other high-ranking officials, are deliberately smearing his plan? They are suggesting that the assessment will be done purely on pupils getting better examination results, rather than teachers improving themselves in the school. Is that not a shocking approach?
§ Sir Keith JosephI do not agree with everything that Mr. Jarvis does or says, but I am informed that there is a good deal of unanimity of opinion between Mr. Jarvis and his union and the Government on the matter of appraisal.