The Western Australian Government has introduced legislation before State Parliament which, if passed, will replace the current teacher registration body known as WACOT with a new Teacher Registration Board.

 

“A review of the WACOT Act 2010 found high levels of dissatisfaction because teachers felt that the West Australian College of Teaching was not able to deliver what was promised to the profession,” State Education Minister Liz Constable said.

 

The new Teacher Registration Board will have seven members - including the chair and deputy chair - appointed by the Minister for their qualifications, expertise and experience.  As with other registration Acts, the Minister will now be able to give directions to the board.


“Under the current WACOT Act the Minister has no say in what WACOT does, virtually no say in who is appointed to the 19-member board, no say in the appointment of the chair and no power to give directions to the board,” Dr Constable said.

 

The new board will be responsible for teacher registration, dealing with situations where a teacher’s fitness and propriety is called into question, and ensuring that teacher education programs are of a high standard.


Teachers will have access to the State Administrative Tribunal in situations where they are not happy with a registration decision or when their fitness and propriety have been called into question.  At present their only avenue of appeal is to the District Court.