THE ROLE OF THE GENERAL TEACHING COUNCIL IN TEACHER-EDUCATION IN SCOTLAND

After briefly outlining the principal features of teacher education in Scotland and the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland, the art icle illustrates how the General Teaching Council for Scotland is able to exert an important influence on government policy through its stat utory entitlement to be consulted on teacher education. The four statu tory powers of the General Teaching Council are then considered. These relate to the accreditation of teacher education courses, the visitat ion of teacher education institutions, the appointment of staff in the se institutions, and the supervision of the two-year period of probati on for all teachers which culminates in final registration with the Ge neral Teaching Council. Finally, it is argued that, in the light of re cent developments in teacher education and in higher education, the ro le of the General Teaching Council may be even further extended.