Working together to deliver on Teacher Education
When my colleague the Education Secretary Michael Russell stood alongside Graham Donaldson to mark the publication of his report ‘Teaching Scotland’s Future’ it sent out a strong message of support for his findings.
Today in Parliament I have been able to fully endorse Mr Donaldson’s review, which mapped out a sensible and comprehensive future for educating teachers and aspiring teachers.
We need change in teacher education in Scotland to build on our existing strengths and ensure that we get the best people into teaching and make sure they stay the best throughout their career.
While we fully accept Mr Donaldson’s recommendations, we are clearly not the only body that needs to do so to make the review findings a reality.
That’s why I have also announced a group to consider how the education sector as a whole can work together and implement these recommendations.
The group will include the likes of the Scottish Teacher Education Committee (STEC) and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) and I expect them to report back in a matter of months on how the work will be taken forward and how we can create a new generation of professional and dedicated teachers.
I believe the Donaldson review will bring about significant improvements to teaching in Scotland. Our teaching profession is already very strong but these improvements to their education and professional development will see our teachers join the world’s best.
2 comments
Now that we have had the Donaldson Review we need a similar review for Nursery Staff who are not teachers. This group of staff make up more than 90% of staff who deliver CFE in the nursery sector and just like teachers we need to ensure that we get the best people into the sector and make sure they stay the best throughout their career. A national approach is now needed, local arrangements are no longer good enough we need a national approach to ensure a consistency of approach. I call for the national equivalent of a Donaldson review for nursery staff with the same remit and standards applied.
The early years workforce who deliver services to our children and young people are at the forefront of Scottish Government policy. They are an essential part in the delivery of our Early Years Framework and are key to ensuring every child in Scotland has the best start in life and has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We know that parents have a major influence on shaping a child’s life but we also recognise more than ever the importance of quality childcare and pre-school education. We know the quality of a service is directly related to staff and management qualifications. This is why registration of the early years and childcare workforce with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) is based on required qualifications as part of our drive to raise standards. We need a flexible workforce that’s well trained and supported in a multitude of areas given the complexity of issues that may affect an individual child and their family. The workforce must have the right skills, knowledge and values to do the best job they can for our children and young people.
Angela Constance, Minister for Children and Young People