John O'Mahony
Ceist:447. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for new laws that will monitor teacher performance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37690/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 October 2014
Ceisteanna (447)
Freagraí scríofa
I intend to amend the Teaching Council Act to strengthen the legislative architecture for the Council's fitness to teach function and Garda vetting.
Once the relevant sections are commenced, the Council will investigate complaints against teachers through a number of phases, up to and including holding a hearing. The staged process ensures that the investigation is robust and that the rights of all parties, including teachers, to a fair hearing and due process is respected.
This process will also allow for measures to be put in place to support those teachers who need help to bring their professional practice up to the high standards expected as well as for sanctions such as suspension or deregistration should the situation require it.
I intend to commence these provisions later this year, once the necessary changes have been made.
However, it is important to note that the Council's fitness to teach processes will not replace the procedures that are already in place in schools to deal with issues of professional conduct and competence. Underperformance or misconduct should be dealt with first at school level and these procedures exhausted before any inquiry by the Teaching Council would take place. It would be expected that most cases should conclude at the level of the school.