§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the benefits of General Teaching Council registration which will be available to teachers who pay a registration fee but which will be withheld from those who do not. [7488]
§ Mr. TimmsThe General Teaching Council (GTC) is the professional body for qualified teachers. Registration will be a requirement if a teacher wishes to be employed in a maintained school or non-maintained special school; those who are not registered will be unable to teach in these categories of school. The GTC is responsible for regulating the conduct of teachers, an important element in raising the profession's self esteem and standing with the general public and promoting the profile of teaching. The GTC also provides advice on a range of professional issues to Government and others. In framing advice, we expect it to consult its members, thus providing an opportunity for registered teachers to influence education policy development. The GTC's advice on teachers' professional development and workload has already proved valuable.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of teachers in maintained schools have paid the General Teaching Council registration fee. [7489]
§ Mr. TimmsThe General Teaching Council (GTC) registration fee is not now to be payable until April 2002. The GTC is currently collecting the details from teachers of how they wish to pay the fee next year.