NUT: Misuse of Capability Procedures to the detriment of teachers and pupils
Misuse of Capability Procedures
Commenting after the debate on Motion 16, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers? union, said;
?Capability procedures must be fair in principle and in practice. That means offering a clear explanation of progress to be made, as well as a meaningful timescale for improvement ? a feature missing from the Government?s new recommended model of appraisal and capability arrangements in England.
?As part of a new optional model policy, appraisal, which should be a positive developmental process and capability, which has dismissal as the ultimate sanction, will form part of the same procedure. Linking the two is a fundamentally flawed move and will mean that many teachers will not be able to approach appraisal procedures in an open and honest manner.
?This will be to the detriment of teachers? professional development and therefore pupils? education in the long term. Teachers are already subjected to a great deal of scrutiny, starting with initial teaching training and continuing throughout their careers.
?This bullying approach is undermining the profession. If schools are serious about addressing the issue of teacher competence should it arise, they must do it in a fair fashion. It is far better to seek to improve teachers than to seek measures to sack them.?
END pr42-2012
For further details contact Caroline Cowie on 0207 380 4706 or 07879480061
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