Page 1541 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 April 2013
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The registration of teachers is now a legal requirement in all Australian states and territories, as well as in New Zealand. The benefits of this regulatory framework will flow not only to members of the profession but to the community at large. In establishing the Teacher Quality Institute, the ACT government has successfully strengthened the foundations for improvement in the quality of the teaching profession across all schools in the territory. The Teacher Quality Institute has responsibility for the promotion and encouragement of improved levels of skill, expertise and professionalism of teachers.
The key factor in improving education for our students is teacher quality. Through their maintenance of professional registration teachers must now account for ongoing professional learning, work within the framework of professional standards and maintain professional conduct. This ensures that they work as a quality teacher so that their students receive quality education. The registration of teachers is also an assurance to the community that teaching in all ACT schools is being provided in a professional and competent way by approved teachers. The results of this professional registration and ongoing professional development continue to show through in survey after survey, confirming the high standard of education in the ACT and this government’s approach to delivering quality education.
Whilst I am talking about quality teachers, I refer members to an article in the Canberra Times today. It referred to a report showing the high level of confidence ACT parents have in the quality of our schools. The report shows that, unlike in other states, Canberra parents are choosing government schools because they have high confidence in the quality of the education they receive. This confidence is born out in part because the government has put in place policies that ensure that being a teacher means more than simply standing in front of a class, but is a profession built on years of experience and learning.
Policies that reward our great teachers, that provide space for ongoing professional development and creating the TQI are all providing families confidence that the education of their child is not only the best in the country but also well placed internationally.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, how has the Teacher Quality Institute been received by the education sector in the ACT—both government and non-government schools?
MS BURCH: The Teacher Quality Institute has just commenced its third year of operation. Since its commencement it has been successful in achieving positive working relationships and a high degree of collaboration with all sectors of school education in the ACT—government, independent and Catholic systems.
This partnership approach has supported the smooth introduction of teacher registration in the territory and a productive cross-sectoral focus on teacher quality. It underlines the fact that the government supports quality education for all children in all our schools, whether government or non-government. There has been a high
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