Unprecedented political interference in the role of the Teaching Council

“This is a very disturbing move. It would mean that the majority of the Council would be Ministerial appointments, which completely undermines the role of the Council as an independent, professional body.

“In light of recent experience with the writing of the new curriculum and the development of a new qualifications system being assigned to a select group of people hand-picked by the Minister, this latest announcement is extremely alarming.

“The Minister says she values teachers and what we do, but her actions say quite the opposite.

“Teachers are professionals with a unique body of knowledge and set of skills with specified entry standards into the profession and ongoing standards – developed with the profession - that underpin our practice.

"The Teaching Council is our professional body – the Government’s proposal to take control of the Council completely undermines its independence and our professionalism.

“Stripping the Teaching Council of its role in setting standards, registration criteria, and the code of conduct is unprecedented political interference. Professional independence is vital to uphold integrity, credibility, and the ability to advocate for teachers free from political agendas."

Chris Abercrombie says the Teaching Council has 30 years of experience and has appropriate systems and functions that are robust and developed with the sector.

“Claims by the Minister that she needs more levers to influence ITE programmes and teachers’ capabilities show why it is critical that the Teaching Council remains in independent control over the existing functions. We need to ensure that independence, consistency and stability endure over time and through different political cycles and perspectives.

“Furthermore, we have not seen any evidence that the Ministry of Education has the capability or capacity to take on any functions of the Teaching Council with integrity and without severe impact on all sectors of the teaching profession.”