Tes’ #LetThemTeach campaign to stop non-EU international teachers from being turned away at Britain’s borders has won a major boost with the backing of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Tes launched the campaign this week following an investigation which showed how desperately needed teachers were being forced to leave their jobs and the country because they cannot renew their visas.
To stop this from happening, Tes is calling for the entire teaching profession to be added to the “shortage occupation list”, which gives higher priority for visas each month.
#LetThemTeach has already won the backing of major teaching unions and was raised in Parliament this week.
Now the Chartered College of Teaching has given its full support.
Chief executive Dame Alison Peacock said: “We know that schools and teachers are under some of the biggest pressures [they have experienced] at any point in the last 30 years. With one in 10 teachers leaving the profession last year, those that remain see their working hours climb upwards while their wellbeing drops.
‘Give the best professionals the opportunity’
“If we are going to change this course, we need to see teachers at all stages of their career receiving support so they can do their jobs and provide the best possible education for children and young people.
“However, that cannot happen if those that have the skills and knowledge to change a young person’s life are prevented from doing so because they’re blocked from joining or worse yet, being forced to leave the profession here.
“That is why the Chartered College of Teaching wholeheartedly supports the Tes #LetThemTeach campaign. We want to see the best professionals given the opportunity to provide the best education.
“Their skills and knowledge should be the deciding factor, not where they are from. We want to see the whole teaching profession placed on the visa ‘shortage occupation list’.”
The campaign was launched on Monday with a letter sent from Tes editor Ann Mroz to education secretary Damian Hinds and home secretary Sajid Javid. It was signed by all the major education unions.
At this week’s Commons Education Select Committee hearing, MP Emma Hardy highlighted the importance of the campaign. She told Mr Hinds that the current situation was adding to teacher retention problems and disrupting children’s lives.
Please support our campaign and sign the Let Them Teach petition. If the petition hits 10,000 signatures the government is obliged to formally respond to it. If it hits 100,000 signatures it will be considered for a debate in Parliament. To sign it, click here.
Find out more about Tes’ campaign by visiting the Let Them Teach homepage
