COMMONS AMENDMENT (Hansard, 23 June 1998)

§ Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1. In speaking to this amendment I shall speak also to Commons Amendments Nos. 27 and 141.

The GTC will be the professional body for teachers. It will represent the highest of professional standards and promote a positive image of teaching both within the profession and outside. It will play a very important role in improving standards of teaching and the quality of learning and will maintain and improve standards of professional conduct among teachers.

The council's work must command the respect of teachers, of parents and of the public. Getting the composition of the council right is a vital part of achieving that aim. We must achieve a council which is authoritative, balanced, effective and independent.

The Bill allows for the Secretary of State to make regulations on the composition of the council. During previous debates I indicated that we would be issuing a consultation document on this issue. That consultation document was issued on 22nd April, with a closing date of 31st July. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The consultation document asks a number of questions about how we can secure the right balance of interests on the council.

We introduced an amendment in this House at an earlier stage which requires the Secretary of State, when making regulations on the composition of the GTC, to 121 ensure that a majority of the members are registered teachers who are either currently serving as teachers or have such recent experience as may be prescribed. The consultation document invites views on how these teachers may be elected or appointed.

We envisage that employers will welcome their employees serving on the council. They will be making an important contribution to the education system. It should also be of benefit to the individual's personal development and make a contribution to the work of their organisation. There may, however, be some exceptional cases where this may cause genuine difficulties for employers. For example, in a small primary school meeting the cost of supply cover might be a disproportionate burden on the school and could act to deter some candidates from putting themselves forward. Amendment No. 141 allows the GTC to reimburse employers where an employee is away from work serving on the council or its committees. This will help to ensure that teachers at the chalk face are not prevented from serving on the council.

During our earlier debates I also undertook to consider further how we make clear our intention that the Churches should be represented on the council. Denominational schools and teacher training institutions employ and train large numbers of our teachers. I know that they are committed to ensuring high standards among the teaching profession and that they will provide a valuable contribution and perspective to the work of the council. We therefore brought forward Amendment No. 1 which adds to the list of interests which the Secretary of State should have regard to when making regulations on the composition of the GTC. We have referred to, religious bodies involved in the provision of education", to ensure that no relevant religious interest is artificially excluded. In our consultation document we propose that the Church of England and the Catholic Church should each be able to nominate one member of the council, as they have by far the largest number of schools and teacher training institutions. The document asks for views on this proposal.

I also think it is right that the GTC should be an outward-looking body. Its concerns should extend beyond protecting the interests of its own members. It must be prepared to speak out where standards are not as they should be. As with other professional bodies, the membership of the council should be wider than just teachers to ensure that the council can command the respect and authority of the wider public. Amendment No. 1 also ensure, that, when making regulations on the composition of the GTC, the Secretary of State must have regard to the interests of parents. The consultation document invites views on how parents should be represented.

We also introduced during our earlier debates a provision requiring the Secretary of State, when making regulations on the composition of the GTC, to have regard to the interests of persons concerned with the teaching of pupils with special educational needs. Amendment No. 27 places a similar duty on the 122 Secretary of State for Scotland when making nominations to the Scottish GTC. The Government are committed to including all learners in their crusade for higher standards. I believe it is right that the interests of those with special educational needs should be represented on both councils. Our consultation paper on the GTC for England invites views on how these interests should be represented.

I believe these amendments will help to ensure that we get the composition of the council right. We will carefully consider the outcome of our consultation exercise. Before we proceed with the drafting of the regulations, we want to be sure that there is widespread agreement. The regulations will, of course, be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure when we will have an opportunity to have a further debate on this issue.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1.—(Baroness Blackstone.)