No to licence to practise
The NUT's campaign against the licence to practise for teachers is building momentum. NUT members across the Union have publicised the campaign amongst colleagues, but we urgently need a final push if we are to persuade the Government to think again.
The NUT has been consistent and concerted in its opposition to plans for teachers to undergo relicensing every five years since this was first proposed by the Government in June of last year.
Christine Blower, NUT general secretary, called the planned licence a “pointless and unnecessary hurdle”, and pointed out that teachers already undergo rigorous training and induction, as well as being subjected to a range of monitoring and evaluation procedures, including performance management and school inspections.
The licensing proposal is in the Children, Schools and Families Bill (link to CSF Bill page on the website) and may still become law. The Bill will be the subject of last minute haggling before Parliament is dissolved for the general election. It is currently being debated in the House of Lords.
The Secretary of State has already received a special delivery from over 17,500 NUT members and supporters who have signed our campaign postcard against the scheme. A total of 20,500 have now signed up in support of the campaign.
The Secretary of State will also be aware that the Union's campaign is attracting support in Parliament. The Conservatives' schools spokesperson, Nick Gibb MP, described the licensing proposal as 'absurd' in a debate on the Bill on 23 February 2010. Mr Gibb quoted from the NUT's parliamentary briefing on the Bill which said that 'the NUT can see no argument advanced by Government which justifies the introduction of the licence to practise for teachers'. For the Liberal Democrats, David Laws MP, has described the licence as 'a waste of money and a bureaucratic impediment'. Backbench Labour MPs have also expressed their disquiet about the licensing proposal.
We're winning the argument on licence to practise but we are running short of time. If you haven't already done so, please help our campaign today and
