Lack of formal qualifications does not mean someone can’t be a great teacher
I read with concern your article (28 March) detailing the 1,500-plus lecturers in Scottish further education colleges without teaching qualifications and the 436 who have “no formal qualifications” at all.
EIS-FELA, the Educational Institute of Scotland – Further Education Lecturers’ Association, has raised concerns at local and national level about the backlog of teaching staff who have not yet gained a teaching qualification; we believe the number has increased in recent years as a result of college mergers.
Many of these staff are experienced industry professionals who have taught to a high standard for a number of years and been frustrated by a lack of institutional support to enable them to gain a teaching qualification; urgent action is also required by the universities to ensure the Teaching Qualification in Further Education (TQFE) is fit for purpose and accessible to all who teach in further education.
We are pleased to note a new national agreement which will see all colleges pay fees for TQFE candidates and give class contact remission for this qualification from April 2019. This will also see all lecturers offered the opportunity to complete the qualification within two years of starting teaching.
You highlight that over 400 teaching staff have “no formal qualifications”. This claim is hugely relevant to current debates on apprenticeships and alternatives to higher education, as our colleagues in this category are often among the most experienced, innovative and industry-focused professionals in our teams, holding the highest work-based qualifications in their field. While we would hope that all colleges support career-long professional development for lecturers, including further academic qualifications where these are appropriate and relevant, having “no formal qualifications” does not mean that an individual is not highly qualifiedand competent in developing vocational skills.
PAM CURRIE EIS-FELA President
Burnockstone Ochiltree, Cumnock