Current Location: Home : Opinion Poll Results : 26th January 2006

Opinion Poll Result

Should teaching assistants be allowed to replace qualified teachers in the classroom?

78% of you said NO, Teaching assistants should not be allowed to replace the qualified teach in the classroom.

It seems that the majority of the comments raise the same issues, as a summary of the comments received it would be fair to state that people feel;

A Teachers training ensures that the children receive the quality and understanding of the education system that they deserve. Although TA's are valuable members of staff who, are more than capable of carrying out their support role, it is unfair on the children and the TA to expect them to teach and take on the responsibility of a qualified teacher, this may also lead to the undermining of teaching qualifications.

Below are some of your comments.

'Having spoken to TAs about this, they are no more in favour of it than many teachers, they seemed to feel that they were untrained for the role, that they were not paid enough and that it usurped the position of qualified teachers who had spent 4 training'

'The professional status of teachers should not be undermined. The future of our children depends on the quality and intelligence of our teachers. If teaching assistants are able, they can go to college and qualify too.'

'The general standards of education will suffer if teaching assistants replace teachers in the classroom.'

'Classroom assistants will not be paid enough to take on teaching. They are often invaluable in the classroom, but surely teachers are the ones who are qualified to be responsible for the educational development of children?'

'Spelling, grammar, oral language, maths, etc.? While some TAs are very good at their job and would undoubtedly make good teachers, many others lack the basic academic skills and knowledge required to be effective teachers.'

'Teaching assistants are a valuable asset to every classroom and pressure should not be put on them to teach whole classes. If this happens many schools will loose valuable members of staff because some of these people will not want the extra responsibility'

'All the TAs I've come across resent having that sort of responsibility placed on them, without them having been given the proper training or remuneration.'

19% of you said Yes, Teaching assistants should be allowed to replace the qualified teach in the classroom.

Many of the comments, for those who voted Yes, give the similar justification for there answers, A summary statement could say:

Teaching assistants share the same passion and intentions toward the education of the children, providing the TA is willing and has a full understanding of what is expected and using the discretion of the school leaders, some TA's will make excellent teachers, their rapport with the young people is a definite strength as well as there past experience with the class room. Many feel that the use of TA as replacements should not be on a permanent basis, but for small periods of time or for short notice supply, TA's are able to Teach, this will thenenable them to develop their skills.

Below are some of your comments.

'Experience acquired over the years and training courses attended, qualifies some teaching assistants to replace qualified teachers'

'Only the experienced TA should be tried out. Simply because 'TEACHING IS AN ART' not a science. For effective teaching it is basically the GRADES which matter. TA understand the child better because of long exposure to one : one exposure'

'Teachers are so busy. TAs could be utilised more fully in the class room so everyone benefits from their being there. A lot of time they are capable individuals but because they do not have a piece of paper they are over looked.'

'In my experience I have seen many teaching assistants more than able to head a classroom, however I don't think they should be used for cheap labour.'

'I was saying yes on the premise that it was not a permanent thing if a class teacher is ill or absent for another reason then the classroom assistant would be the best person to fill in because they will have built a relationship with the children.'

'Many many TA's, Nursery Nurses etc are so much better at engaging young learners than QTs. Let's get this recognised'

'Some teaching assistants are fabulous teachers - the discretion of the school staff must be used to decide who is good enough to teach.'

'I feel assistants are just as good a qualified teacher or even better!! If they understand the governments rules with teaching and are good with children then why not!'

3% of the votes came in stating Other

'it depends because you can be very successful even if you haven't got a degree'

'Teaching assistants are a very valuable resource which, in my opinion should enhance the quality of education delivered. By using them to 'replace' is devaluing their role as a team member as well as taking advantage of their status within the classroom.'

'Their roles are different in the classroom, however they can stand in for the teacher after year(s) of practical experience.'

'Only in an emergency and only for a limited amount of time.'

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