Almost 300 teachers in independent schools in Scotland are still not registered, despite regulations coming into force this summer, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry heard.
In later evidence, the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), said the reason for this could be “eccentricities” in how the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) recognises teaching qualifications.
Jennifer Macdonald, GTCS director of regulation and legal services said that 294 teachers in independent schools were not registered.
The latest phase of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is focusing on alleged abuse in Scottish boarding schools.
Before October 2017, teachers working in independent schools were not required to be registered with GTCS.
The Registration of Independent Schools (Prescribed Person) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 act requires all teachers to be registered by the 1 June 2021 deadline, to allow staff to gain the necessary qualifications.
However, Mrs MacDonald told Judge Lady Smith that some teachers were still unregistered, despite being three months away from the deadline.
She said: “We currently have registration of around 90 per cent of independent school teachers, so still some to go.”
However, John Edward, director of Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), said the reason for this may be due to “eccentricities” in how GTCS recognises teaching qualifications.
He told the inquiry: “In most cases, the remaining, non-registered teachers will be a result of Covid-19 disruptions or it may be people like sports tutors who would not normally be required to be fully registered.
“We would probably always argue for more pragmatism, but there are cases where the Scottish system of registration doesn’t always match the rest of the UK, particularly in those who may have both academic and pastoral roles.
“There are subjects, such as photography, that come to mind, that you can’t take a teaching qualification in, in Scotland.
“So to be a qualified photography teacher you won’t be recognised in the same way.
“We have business studies teachers whose degrees in economics are not recognised.
“So there are eccentricities: teachers who are native Spanish speakers who can teach French because they have a degree in it, but can’t teach Spanish.”
The inquiry continues.
