Federation challenges DET on qualifications

By

Wendy Currie

Federation has successfully challenged the Department of Education and Training (DET) for it prematurely vacating the field of advising pre-service school teachers about whether their qualifications meet the DET's requirements for teaching in public schools.

From 2009, the Institute of Teachers will require universities to check that the subject content of a student's undergraduate degree meets their requirements for accreditation before enrolling them in a graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Education. The DET will accept this as the requirement to teach in a public school.

However, some of Federation's student members currently enrolled in a Dip Ed contacted us this year when DET removed its requirements from its website and refused to do what it has done for decades - advise them about whether they needed to complete additional subjects.

While there are some issues yet to be clarified relating to DET's continued role in ensuring teachers in NSW public schools are appropriately qualified, the immediate problem for these students has been addressed and the DET has assessed their academic background and advised them of any shortfall.

Wendy Currie is a Research Officer.

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