Fitness To Teach Provisions 'Good For Children, Parents And Teachers' - Bruton

The Fitness to Teach provisions of the Teaching Council Acts 2001 – 2015 is "good for children, parents and the teaching profession", the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, has said.

The Minister made the comment as he announced the commencement of the provisions, which means that any person – including a member of the public, an employer or a teacher – will be able to make a complaint to the Teaching Council about a registered teacher. Under the new provision complaints will be possible under a number of headings, including professional misconduct or poor professional performance.

Minister Bruton said the transparent process will provide assurance and affirm confidence in the teaching profession in the long run.

It is understood the new Fitness to Teach provision is not intended to replace the procedures that are already in place in schools to deal with issues of professional conduct and competence. These issues will still be dealt with at school level first, with those school procedures being exhausted before any inquiry by the Teaching Council takes place.

Speaking at the announcement, the Minister said: "At the heart of what the Government is trying to achieve is to use our economic success to make life a little easier for people. We are fortunate in Ireland to have such a dedicated and committed teaching profession. Teachers perform a vital role in educating our children and make such an important contribution to the life of our state.

"To build on the high professional standards that exist it is important that we seek ways in which to continually improve. Part of being a member of any modern profession is that the public can be assured that when these high professional standards are not upheld, it is possible for a citizen to seek redress by bringing their complaint forward and see it dealt with in a proper way. The introduction of Fitness to Teach is one way we can do this, and will help make the teaching profession more open and more accountable. It will support high professional standards amongst teachers in the interests of children and parents, and will enhance the reputation and status of the teaching profession."

(MH/CD)