§ 32. Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve professional standards in the teaching profession. [81548]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisWe have already acted to establish new standards for Qualified Teacher Status, and for those completing their initial training after 7 May 1999, we are introducing an induction year. Newly qualified teachers will have to meet new Induction Standards. National training programmes are already on offer based on headship standards.
Our Green Paper, "Teachers: meeting the challenge of change", published in December, set out major proposals to improve and strengthen the teaching profession. It makes important proposals to strengthen the teachers' pay structure, teacher appraisal and career and professional development, all of which will improve professional standards. Consultation has made clear that teachers and their professional bodies, initial teacher training providers, and other education bodies are keen to improve professional standards. The Government are now considering how to carry forward the proposals to create a modern and effective teaching profession for the benefit of all our children.