MASTERS QUALIFICATION FOR TEACHERS

7 March 2008

Commenting on the Ed Balls' proposal to introduce a new Masters qualification for teachers, Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe's largest teaching union said:

"There is every argument for ensuring that teachers are at the edge of their game when it comes to skills and knowledge. It may be that a Masters degree provides a framework for teachers' professional development.

"Teachers, however, need the time, space and funding for any new qualification. I call on Ed Balls to grant teachers regular sabbaticals and a guaranteed cash sum to choose and pay for their professional development.

"It is essential that a consensus is developed with teachers about their future in the 21st Century. Part of that is trusting teachers to take responsibility for updating their knowledge and skills. We should move from the idea that the Masters is an initiative which will be rolled out for teachers to accept passively to one that is developed in partnership with teachers as equals".