A Time for Inclusion and Genuine Consultation

“MCEETYA’s consideration of a Council to examine the issue of teacher education must be inclusive of the teacher unions that represent the professional and industrial interests of teachers” said Independent Education Union of Australia Federal Secretary Chris Watt.

The MCEETYA paper, to be considered at the Ministers’ meeting in Melbourne over the next two days, recommends the establishment of an Australian Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and an Interim Council.

“Such a recommendation is certainly worthy of consideration and reflects the need to further progress and coordinate work already underway in this area” said Chris Watt.

The MCEETYA paper proposes “1 x representative from Teaching Australia – representing teachers and principals”.

“Teaching Australia is not the appropriate body to represent teachers and principals” said Chris Watt.

“The only two truly representative bodies by virtue of membership size, membership density and history of positive, proactive engagement in the school education sector are the IEUA and AEU” he said

“Teaching Australia does not represent teachers or school leaders”

“The IEUA represents its members professionally as well as industrially and should be part of any formal arrangement to consider the question of teacher education accreditation” said Chris Watt.

Contact

Chris Watt                                                       0419259143

Federal Secretary                                            02 6273 3107