Teaching licences

AT one level, a teaching licence is for teachers and their professionalisation. At another, deeper level, it is for the students. It shows that a society cares for the realisation of its future generations’ potential. Both elements, professionalisation of teachers and care for children, were reaffirmed by the Sindh government when on May 25, 2023, it approved a teaching licence policy.

Accordingly, teachers will be able to obtain licences endorsing they have the required qualification, competence, and attitude to be made responsible for the intellectual, moral and emotional development of children. The candidates will have to pass a test and renew the licence every five years. The licence is initially intended for teachers who will be recruited in future. It is not compulsory for existing government or private school teachers at the moment, although they can apply for it if they wish to.

The word ‘licence’ has Latin roots, ‘licentia’, whose meanings can range from freedom to act to deviating from the permitted or even being unruly. Here, with the teaching licence, we are concerned mainly with the first meaning, ie, freedom or permission to act.

Many practices require a licence — for example, to drive, to carry arms, to practice medicine, to give financial advice and to construct buildings. A moment’s reflection will show that these practices involve a relationship of power, and their negative use can harm the vulnerable. One carrying arms or driving a car has disproportionate power over those without arms or without a vehicle. A doctor with her knowledge of body and medicine, has power over the patient who comes to her in a state of vulnerability. She has the power to cure or kill. There is potential danger that these resources can harm the vulnerable if possessed by an unsuitable doctor. There is an interplay of power, duty to care and vulnerability in all these areas of life.

A teacher can enhance or demolish a child’s potential.

Teaching too involves a relationship of power. A teacher usually is more knowledgeable and both physically and psychologically stronger than the children who are impressionable, comparatively weak and trusting. A teacher can enhance or demolish the natural competencies of a child; empower or scare the kid for life; and contribute to autonomy or indoctrination of the mind. The child is vulnerable, the teacher is powerful. Shouldn’t we require this teacher to possess credentials, skills and attitudes that nurture, rather than harm, children?

The teacher is responsible not only for the physical care of her students but also for their cognitive and emotional development. Each child is unique, with a different style and pace of learning, as well as varied emotional and other needs. To be able to respond to these diverse needs and nurture them is not an easy responsibility. Some teachers are gifted but most have to learn to address them effectively.

Teachers require a command over the subject matter, ways of translating ideas for different age levels, mastery over exam, ability to manage classrooms and the capacity to offer counselling. Increasingly, they are expected to look after the mental health of children and develop them into active citizens.

Teaching is an art and a science. A teaching licence, if rightfully awarded, can ensure that a teacher entrusted with the care of our children has the necessary skills and knowledge. In our context, it is even more important as teachers are not necessarily required to undergo professional development before joining the profession. Hence, a teaching licence is also a call to professionalise teaching, and create minimum standards of knowledge and practice.

A licence, in the final analysis, is about the duty of caring — of the powerful towards the vulnerable. So, a licence awarded to teachers, is actually for the care of the students. It is said that when a flower doesn’t bloom, we fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower. If our children are not blooming educationally, we need to fix the educational environment; having teaching licences is part of this attempt. The possession of a licence by a teacher can satisfy a parent that her child is in caring hands. Imagine the collective effect of this towards society as a whole.

The other day, we compared two adverts, one for a driver and the other for a teacher. The requirements for the driver were extensive, requiring knowledge, experience, certain personality traits and a licence. For the teacher, the requirement was minimal, some experience, and a willingness to work at a salary which was barely above the minimum wage. It seemed that we care more for our cars than our children. The teaching licence may change that.

The writers are faculty members at the Aga Khan University-Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED).

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2023

Christian teacher banned from teaching for 'misgendering' student: 'Just one view allowed' on gender

A Christian math teacher in the United Kingdom has been banned from teaching indefinitely by the government for "misgendering" a student and expressing his Christian beliefs on marriage and homosexuality.

The Teaching Regulation Agency ("TRA"), under the Department of Education, ruled this month that Joshua Sutcliffe was guilty of "unacceptable professional conduct" and "bringing the teaching profession into disrepute" and subsequently barred him from the teaching profession.

The ruling is believed to be "the first of its kind," the legal organization supporting the teacher says.

The 32-year-old previously taught math at Cherwell School out of Oxford in 2017 when an ordinary conversation in his class led to him getting fired.

The UK government barred Joshua Sutcliffe from the teaching profession for refusing to address a student by their preferred pronouns.  (Christian Legal Centre)

CHRISTIAN TEACHER LOSES JOB AFTER REFUSING TO DECEIVE PARENTS ON KIDS' GENDER TRANSITIONS: ‘FROM THE DEVIL’

Sutcliffe recalled to Fox News Digital how he had congratulated a couple of students on solving a problem one day in class. He had only addressed one of these students previously by name. "But on this day I congratulated her and her friend for some good effort by saying, ‘Well done, girls.’ And that in her mind was a misgendering," he said.

Although he apologized to calm the student, the student's parent filed a complaint with the school and Sutcliffe was put on leave for a week.

The teacher said he wished the incident could've been dealt with privately between himself and the family but the school's disciplinary action forced him to go to the press on the matter. He was dismissed by the school and later settled his legal case against his employer out of court.

After transferring to a Catholic school in North London the next year, Sutcliffe found himself in trouble again over gender issues.

A UK math teacher was banned from teaching for expressing his Christian views on gender and sexuality. (Fox News)

KANSAS TEACHER WINS $95,000 AFTER SCHOOL PUSHED HER TO ‘DECEIVE’ PARENTS ABOUT STUDENTS' GENDER IDENTITY

A student accused him of showing a Prager University video from conservative personality Allie Beth Stuckey talking about masculinity. Sutcliffe denied that he had showed the video, saying he had suggested students could look it up and watch outside of class.

The panel ruled that the teacher had "failed to consider the potential adverse effect on these pupils, and that in doing so, he had acted unprofessionally," by allegedly showing the video to the class.

While Sutcliffe disputed this, he also argued there was nothing controversial about the video. "To me, it was very mild," he said.

The TRA panel listed other "unprofessional behavior" in their ruling against Sutcliffe, saying he had told students he was against gay marriage and had directed students to watch his personal YouTube channel where he made statements against Islam as a religion. Sutcliffe denied these allegations to the panel and told Fox News Digital that he made comments about Biblical marriage during a campus Bible club meeting.

Liam Morrison speaks about being sent home for his T-Shirt stating "there are only two genders." (John T. Nichols Middle School)

UK MAN FINED FOR SILENTLY PRAYING OUTSIDE ABORTION CLINIC: REPORT

Sutcliffe said teachers in the UK are encouraged to support "one view" on gender and sexuality, "And, obviously, if you don't conform to that, then, you know, look what happens."

People who disagree with the prevailing views on gender are pressured to stay silent, he argued. "There's really just one view allowed, and it's certainly not a Christian view."

The Christian teacher says he will appeal the decision by the TRA panel to a high court. If he doesn't win his appeal, he could be barred from teaching for life. However, he is hopeful a high court will uphold his religious freedoms.

The Christian Legal Centre, an advocacy group supporting Sutcliffe, said the ruling sends a chilling message that Christian teachers are unwelcome to express their beliefs.

UK man Adam Smith-Connor was fined for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. (ADF UK)

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"This ruling sends a clear message that Christian teachers can no longer express their beliefs in the teaching profession. If you are, you will be hounded out and barred from being in the classroom," Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre said in a press release.

Williams said Sutcliffe became a "marked man" for defending his religious beliefs.

"The TRA has targeted an exceptional teacher because his Christian beliefs do not fall in line with the prevailing secular orthodoxy which will not tolerate any dissent," the statement continued.

"For loving Jesus, speaking truth in his personal time, and responding to questions from students on the Christian faith, he has been hounded out of the teaching profession. Joshua will appeal, and we will stand with him for as long as it takes to get justice," the legal group said.

Kristine Parks is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Read more.

L4 - Weather warnings issued

On Thursday, there will be long spells of sunshine with some areas of cloud drifting by at times. Friday will start dry with sunny skies but some cloud and a few sharp showers will drift in from the west, possibly turning thundery for some. A largely sunny day on Saturday, but with showers developing towards the end of the day. Remaining warmer than average.