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is being developed in partnership with all employing authorities,
which are the SELB and the four other education and library
boards, CCMS, NICIE, voluntary grammar schools, Irish Medium
schools and the teacher unions. It is also endorsed by the
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.
Mr Cooke said: “The difficulties for schools in arranging
qualified teacher cover were highlighted in an Audit Office
report published in December 2002. Through the current system,
it is up to each school to keep a list of teachers who can
provide substitute cover. This, however, can mean that a principal
has to ring a dozen people, before a substitute is available.
In addition, there is a variance in the number of teachers
that schools have on their list.
It is being developed in partnership with all employing authorities,
which are the SELB and the four other education and library
boards, CCMS, NICIE, voluntary grammar schools, Irish Medium
schools and the teacher unions. It is also endorsed by the
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.
Mervyn Cooke is the chairperson of the NISTR steering group
which is responsible for coordinating the initiative.
“The new register is specifically aimed at tackling
the practical issues involved and in doing so provides significant
benefits for both schools and substitute teachers.
“The online register has an integrated electronic booking
system that allows schools to search for substitute teachers
whose areas of expertise, experience and availability can
be viewed and monitored via the Web. The information held
on teachers' availability is automatically updated as soon
as bookings are confirmed. “In future the register will
be the recommended way to arrange substitute cover in schools.
As there will be one central unit who administer the scheme
for Northern Ireland, all schools will be assured that the
registered teachers have been approved and subjected to the
relevant checks. It is a system that will see great improvements
for all those involved: teachers, schools and employers."
The free service is available to all substitute teachers recognised
as 'qualified to teach' by the Department of Education and
special arrangements will be made to advise newly qualified
teachers about the register through local teacher training
colleges later this year.
The Belfast Education and Library Board who is handling administration
of the register on behalf of all the employing authorities
will ensure that all teachers registered are vetted in accordance
with Department of Education guidance.
Substitute teachers engaged to undertake cover assignments
through the register will benefit from standard teacher terms
and conditions and pay rates with pensionable service. Teachers
can confine their availability to the distance they are willing
to travel and can also limit their assignments to nominated
schools.
Teachers wishing to join the new register should visit www.nistr.org.uk
or contact Belfast Education and Library Board, telephone
02890 564000 Extn 4427 for an application form or further
information.
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