Education Minister Hekia Parata has released a report on the review of New Zealand Teachers Council together with a discussion document proposing the establishment of a new professional body for teaching and education leadership.

The review makes 24 recommendations which fall into four key themes:

• to establish a new professional body - possibly run by teachers for teachers
• the regulatory framework for teachers
• the disciplinary framework
• resourcing.

The review recommended clearer separation between becoming registered as a teacher and the issuing of practising certificates, which certify the ongoing competence of teachers.

Another proposal is that in addition to the current Limited Authority to Teach, a broader Authority to Educate is introduced to allow individuals with proven expertise to complement the teaching workforce, thereby creating a new category of unqualified teachers.

The Government has appointed a Ministerial Advisory Group, including Nancy Bell from the NZ Childcare Association, to lead consultation with the sector and the public on the proposals over the next two months.