Independence consultationIndependence consultation responses being considered
The consultation phase of the Scottish Government's proposal to make GTC Scotland a fully independent body closed on 26 June.
Irene Hunter, GTC Scotland's Director of Corporate and Legal Governance, said: "We're pleased with the level of participation in the consultation. Many responses were broadly in line with our own. Some responses included some suggestions for change, with a small number containing radical suggestions."
The Scottish Government will now consider all responses to help the Scottish Ministers take decisions regarding the future status of GTC Scotland. Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public, the Scottish Government intends to make them available to the public in the Scottish Government Library and on the Scottish Government consultation web pages in August. The Government itself aims to issue a report on the consultation later in the year.
Meanwhile, Anthony Finn, GTC Scotland's Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our Council members will now give detailed consideration to the outcomes of the consultation and to the development of a subsequent Council strategy.
"The new Council will have an important role to play planning for the future of GTCS and will be influential in shaping an independent GTCS"
"This work is crucial as it will provide the new Council with the foundations they need to develop a robust plan. The new Council will have an important role to play planning for the future of GTC Scotland and will be influential in shaping the governing Council of an independent GTC Scotland."
At the same time, GTC Scotland will maintain regular discussion with the Scottish Government.
Irene said: "Our objective is to achieve the best outcome for GTC Scotland, teaching, the teaching profession and Scotland's children and young people. GTC Scotland will also continue to liaise closely with key educational stakeholders as discussions proceed and the process moves forward."
The Scottish Government intends to use the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill to take forward any changes to GTC Scotland. The scope of the Bill is wide, its overarching aim being to simplify and improve Scotland's public services. If approved, the Scottish Government anticipates that the Bill will have completed its progress through Parliament before the middle of 2010.
We will continue to keep you up to date with ongoing developments in future editions of Teaching Scotland and at www.gtcs.org.uk/consultation
Who responded?
A total of 221 responses to the consultation were received. Of these, 156 were from individuals and 65 were from organisations including local authorities, universities, colleges, the independent school sector, professional associations, and educational and other national bodies.
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37% OF VOTERS SAY
they do feel that fostering a sense of global citizenship in the classroom can have a long-term, positive effect on the wider world?
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would like to knowthe GTCS view on this scenario. I agree with Steve its a last option!
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