22 May 2025

In a written response from Education Minister Paul Givan, he confirmed that he had submitted a paper to the Executive on the 2nd of May and, subject to Executive approval, was looking to introduce a Bill later in the year.

Daniel McCrossan MLA said today,

"As long ago as May 2021, I as the then SDLP Education spokesperson was stating that the General Teaching Council (GTC) was beyond repair. There were issues around teachers applications not being processes and child safeguarding. There was infighting and a toxic environment within the organisation.

"In December 2021, the then Minister Michelle McIlveen rightly moved to dissolved the GTC. Now, some 40 months later, Minister Givan has finally submitted a plan to the Executive. Hopefully, they will agree that legislation can be tabled later in the year.

"Of course, the SDLP retain the right to scrutinise the legislation when we see it, and amend if we see fit, but at least we finally are seeing some progress."