Aontú Rep for East Derry and Education Spokesperson Gemma Brolly has called for the registration of newly qualified teachers, to commence as a matter of urgency. She further highlighted the need to address the many urgent issues in Education instead of finger pointing and shifting blame and responsibility.
The General Teaching Council of Northern Ireland (GTCNI) is a statutory, self-regulated body dedicated to enhancing the status of teaching and promoting the highest standards of teacher conduct. All teachers must register with GTCNI, including those wishing to make themselves available on the official register for substitute teaching (NISTR.)
Rep Brolly:”After a stressful year of dealing with staff absences due to Covid and the challenges in finding substitute teachers, I am astounded to learn that many of our newly qualified teachers who have made applications to the GTCNI have not been registered.”
“With Unions bringing this to attention of the Minister back in June, the Minister of Education’s statement that she has now instructed GTCNI to fix this urgently is simply not good enough.”
“For years now, report after report has highlighted the areas that require urgent attention. Only a few days ago, I spoke about the inadequate funding for school uniforms. This issue was raised in the children’s commissioner report almost FOUR years ago.”
“Can we please get to work on these most urgent issues, beginning with registering the teachers who are ready and willing to jump in, roll their sleeves up and get to work.”
“The Department of Education is also aware the efficiency and purpose of the GTCNI has been questioned now for quite some time. There is NO more time to lose. Aontú calls for an independent enquiry into the purpose and efficiency of the GTCNI immediately, in order to provide teachers with confirmation of what exactly they are paying for.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 