Meeting of the Parliament 29 January 2026 [Draft]
::I am sympathetic to Mr Ross’s points. Of course, matters pertaining to the registration of teachers in Scotland are for the GTCS to address. I encourage Mr Ross to engage with it directly. I see that he is nodding and indicating that he has done so. I am more than happy to raise the matter myself with Pauline Stephen at the GTCS.
It is the case that different qualifications are required in Scotland, not least the requirement to have a degree-level qualification to deliver teaching in Scotland, which does not necessarily exist in other parts of the United Kingdom. That is an important feature of our education system, and it is one that we would want to protect.
I am more than happy to speak to the GTCS on Mr Ross’s behalf, but I encourage him to engage directly with the organisation, too. It is difficult for me, as cabinet secretary, to comment on the specifics of individuals without first understanding their qualifications. That would be a matter for the GTCS, which is independent of Government, to give an opinion on.