SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said the latest revelations around the General Teaching Council (GTCNI) has only further enforced his view that the body is beyond repair.

Mr McCrossan was speaking after it was announced that up to 500 new teachers have not yet had their registrations fully processed by GTCNI.

The West Tyrone MLA said:

“When the GCTNI appeared before the Education Committee in May it became clear it was riddled with dysfunction and I expressed the view then that this body is beyond repair. We have heard time and time again how it has disintegrated into a shambles. 

“At that point, there were issues around child safeguarding. Today’s announcement confirms my view that they cannot perform their duties to the standard required. Key aspects of their job involve processing registrations and keeping children safe. They are not doing either efficiently or effectively.

 “What’s worse is successive Education Ministers have been aware of the problems within the GTCNI and have failed to act decisively. Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has called on them to resolve the matter quickly. She needs to ensure they get it sorted herself so that hundreds of teachers are not prevented from working next year. Minister McIlveen needs to take some responsibility instead of relying on a body that has shown itself entirely unfit for purpose.”