Institute of Teachers consults about standards

by Jennifer Leete

Federation has received many questions about the Institute's draft professional teaching standards. The University of New England, on behalf of the Institute, has written to school principals asking for teachers to volunteer to complete a survey form giving their feedback on the draft standards. The union encourages interested members to be involved with this project. Part of our 2004 Annual Conference decision on the Institute said: "This should include ensuring that Federation members are actively involved in consultation on the draft professional teaching standards." The Institute of Teachers can be contacted on 1300 739 338 or questions may be sent to www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au.

Federation continues to receive many questions from members about how the Institute will operate and what categories of membership (for example casual and part time) will exist. Many of these questions will require policy decisions by the Institute. In many cases Federation simply has to advise members to ring the Institute's office and ask them.

Since Annual Conference there has been one meeting of the Interim Committee of the Institute. That meeting dealt with a report on the timeframe and plans for implementation of the legislation.

During the September/October school vacation a number of Federation's student teacher members received written information sheets headed "What you need to know -- new requirements for beginning teachers" from the Institute.

Federation has since been informed that this material has been provided to all universities for final year teacher education students. The document makes reference to processes for accrediting "new scheme teachers" from January 1, 2005 and the requirement to pay an annual fee of $80.

Federation is also aware that a package of materials titled "Institute of Teachers -- DET information" has been distributed to school principals via e-mail although it does not appear to have been widely distributed.

Education Minister Andrew Refshauge has advised that the "interim committee" of the Institute of Teachers will continue its role until the Quality Teaching Council (QTC) is set up in accordance with the legislation.

The QTC is the representative body which will include elected representatives of teachers as well as union representatives, employers and teacher educators. It is unlikely that elections of the QTC will be held before June 2005 and it could be as late as October 2005. Federation has made it clear that this is unsatisfactory.

The Minister has yet to announce who will be appointed as chairperson of the Institute. The chair of the Interim Committee has resigned to take up other employment interstate. Also not announced yet are the members of the Board of Governance.

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005