HC Deb 18 December 1968 vol 775 cc395-7W
Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representatives of teachers, headmasters and non-teaching persons, respectively, form the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

Mr. Ross:

The Council's membership consists of 44 persons comprising:—

(a) 25 persons representing registered teachers:

Primary schools: 9 teachers of whom 5 must be head teachers;

Secondary schools: 9 teachers of whom 5 must be head teachers;

Further education centres: 2 teachers of whom 1 must be a principal;

Colleges of education: 1 lecturer and 4 principals.

(b) 15 persons appointed as follows:

  1. (i) two by the Association of County Councils in Scotland;
  2. (ii) two by the Scottish Counties of Cities Association;
  3. (iii) three by the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland:
  4. (iv) four by the universities of Scotland;
  5. (v) two by the governing bodies of the central institutions;
  6. (vi) one by the Education Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland;
  7. (vii) one by the Scottish Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church.

(c) 4 persons nominated by the Secretary of State.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the effect which the dismissal of a substantial number of graduate teachers would have on the education and careers of senior school pupils in Scotland, he will introduce amending regulations to postpone the compulsory licensing of graduate teachers until after the Higher Leaving Certificate and Ordinary Level examinations in April.

Mr. Ross:

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Scotstoun (Mr. Small).

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature of the request which the Scottish Schoolmasters Association made to him recently as a possible basis for the removal of its objections to the General Teaching Council.

Mr. Ross:

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Scotstoun (Mr. Small).

Mr. Small

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the progress of registration of teachers with the General Teaching Council.

Mr. Ross:

I understand from the Council that 47,860 teachers have registered. The latest information available to me about certificated teachers who are in service in the schools, and who are therefore under obligation to register is that 1,015 have not so far applied for registration and that 700 have applied who have not yet paid the registration fee. The number who have not applied for registration thus constitutes a very small percentage of the number of teachers in service in the schools and an even smaller percentage of the total number of registered teachers.

I regret that this small minority of teachers should be reluctant to accept the arrangements approved by Parliament because they object to some aspects of the constitution and functions of the Council. I accept of course that attention must be paid to minority views but the wishes of the majority of teachers have also to be taken into account. The General Teaching Council has the support of the Educational Institute of Scotland and the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association who between them represent the large majority of teachers in Scotland, and of the education authorities acting through their local authority associations.

I have already indicated my willingness to institute an early review of the constitution and functions of the Council if there is any general feeling among the interests most concerned that that would be desirable.

The Scottish Schoolmasters Association has asked that no action should be taken against certificated teachers who have not registered. The Schools (Scotland) Code however has required these teachers to register from 1st April, 1968, as a condition of holding permanent appointments in Scottish schools. There has therefore been ample time for this requirement to be met and I see no reason for further delay.

The certificated teacher who has not registered with the General Teaching Council has disqualified himself for permanent employment and education authorities in taking steps towards the dismissal of such teachers are simply complying with the statutory requirements of the Schools Code. The teachers concerned have the remedy in their own hands: to register without further delay and this I urge them to do.