OVERSEAS TRAINED TEACHERS FACE THE SACK

10th July 2007

NUT LOBBY OF THE DCSF

Commenting on the new proposals from the DCSF to require overseas trained teachers (OTT) to achieve Qualified Teachers Status (QTS) within four years or face the sack if they have not gained the qualification by August 31st  Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Britain’s largest teaching Union said:

 “While the NUT recognises that four years is a reasonable time to gain the qualifications our concern is that many OTT were not told of the requirement and so have not sought to gain QTS status. This will lead to the loss of many experienced and valuable teachers.

“The issue will have a detrimental effect on our schools and the NUT believes that it is in the best interests of schools and pupils alike that the DCSF re-considers the position this ruling puts many teachers in and postpones the changes.

“ The impact on the large number of teachers from around the world who play such an important role in the education of our youngsters will be enormous. Many face a very uncertain future and will suffer hardship as a result of this ruling. This is a real injustice. Some have been an integral part of our education system for decades. The wealth of their experience must not be lost to our schools.