NASUWT: A good idea going bad
Reacting to the decision of Education Minster Leighton Andrews to advise for external mentors to assist with the induction of newly qualified teachers and with the introduction of the Masters in Education, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Wales, said:
“The NASUWT has supported, in principle, the introduction of the Masters qualification. However, too many questions remain unanswered and the decision to press ahead with the advertisement for mentors flies in the face of good government.
“Consultation on the changes required to regulation and guidance to facilitate the use of external mentors is still underway, with responses not required until the end of the month.
“This could prove to be a good idea going badly wrong if the minister continues to ignore the consultation process.”
Rex Phillips, NASUWT Wales Organiser, said:
“The NASUWT has only recently discussed the Induction and the Masters programme with Welsh government officials.
“The NASUWT raised questions about the provision of study leave and additional non-contact time for newly qualified teachers who chose to pursue the Masters qualification, about the impact that the scheme could have on teacher workload and working hours for newly qualified teachers, the external mentors and the school workforce generally, and about the costs associated with the scheme.
“These questions remain unanswered, yet the initiative rolls on with indecent haste.
“The NASUWT will now have to consider carefully the advice to be given to newly qualified teachers about embarking on the Masters programme and to those members who are considering applying to be an external mentor.”
ENDS
Lena Davies
Journalist and acting press officer
Campaigns and Communications Team
NASUWT
0121 457 6250 / 07867 392 746
lena.davies@mail.nasuwt.org.uk
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