No to Licence to Practise – NUT steps up campaign

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. On 11 January Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls received a special delivery of 17,500 postcards from NUT members and supporters.
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. “Such a large number of postcards shows how angry the teaching profession as a whole is about the Licence to Practise,” she said. “The government should trust teachers’ professionalism.”

Government Minister Vernon Coaker, clearly under pressure from the NUT’s campaign, claimed in a recent speech that the Licence to Practise would be ‘automatic’ – why have it in the first place then? This in no way provides necessary reassurance, particularly to teachers starting their careers. Our campaign now focuses on MPs and Peers, who are currently considering the licensing proposal in the Children, Schools and Families Bill. We have submitted written and oral evidence to the Bill Committee.

The Union is lobbying opposition parties to persuade them that the licence is not the answer to teachers’ professional development needs and we hope that the proposal will be thrown out by Parliament before the general election. If you haven’t yet, please sign up to support the campaign online at http://www.teachers.org.uk/notolicencetopractise

Cambridge Review

A week ago I spoke at the concluding Cambridge Review Conference. The Union has made a major contribution to all of the events. As the Government moves forward to enshrine the Rose Review in law, it’s important to note that there are many aspects of the Cambridge Review which can easily be brought into primary practice without the benefit of law. Robin Alexander will be speaking at the education fringe meeting at NUT annual conference, so, if you’re in Liverpool over Easter weekend, please do go along.

20 years since Mandela’s release

Thursday 11 February marks the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. I’m sure you’ll all join with me in remembering the historic struggles against apartheid and all those fighting for social justice across the world.

Christine Blower, General Secretary
08 February 2010

Click here to view previous messages from Christine Blower, NUT, General Secretary