§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to accredit prior learning among staff currently employed as teachers; and if he will ensure that teachers who have not had their skills assessed will not be made redundant on grounds of lack of qualification until an assessment has been made.
§ Mr. FallonIt is for the LEA or, in a school with a delegated budget, the governing body to determine whether any teacher should be dismissed. If it behaves unreasonably, a dismissal may be found unfair by an industrial tribunal. LEAs and schools are responsible for deciding what induction and other training should be provided for the individual teachers whom they employ. They also share responsibility with other bodies that provide or accredit training for deciding on the scope for accrediting teachers' prior learning.