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3:30 on an Olympic Friday? Great time for Michael Gove to bury news

Teachers at academies will no longer need qualifications.

By Martha Gill Published 27 July 2012 16:34

Michael Gove. Photograph: Getty Images

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62 comments

Fri, 2012-07-27 23:12 — Tinky Wink (not verified)

Really? What we need is the paedo's teaching a bit of kiddie fiddling! This will blow up in the Goves arrogant face.

Fri, 2012-07-27 20:41 — willoyen

why does every photo of Gove show him looking up towards higher, indefinite heights? what is he looking at? if anything. Is somebody talking to him?

Mon, 2012-07-30 00:54 — Silican (not verified)

When a friend once suggested that he become PM, he overheard a remark that this would coincinde with the appearance of winged pigs. He's been on the lookout ever since.

Fri, 2012-07-27 20:02 — Rev Graeme Hancocks (not verified)

Perhaps the NHS could dispense with requiring doctors to be fully trained?! That would save a lot of money. Whatever next from this appalling excuse for a government.

Fri, 2012-07-27 18:32 — mike cobley (not verified)

This isnt simply about profiteering or costcutting - it makes it easier for schools run by dubious groups to bring non-QTS-accredited tutors or gurus or spiritual mentors to spread distasteful doctrines through the minds of pupils. There are people in this country who do not have the best interests of school children at heart, who only see them as potential converts or docile followers. This announcement, coming on the heels of the news about creationists being allowed to run schools, is yet another ominous straw in the wind.

Fri, 2012-07-27 17:28 — treborc

Alan Sugar then, or the Yorkshire Ripper to discuss drugs and crime, I just about give up with politics of all colour or religion.

Fri, 2012-07-27 17:13 — november (not verified)

So what is the point the of PGCE anymore?

we all know anyone could be a good teacher, but the training the PCGE offers is better then someone with no training.

this will end badly

hope the goverment u-turn this

and i hope gove gets moved away from education in re-shuffle.

Fri, 2012-07-27 17:08 — Soph (not verified)

Potentially a good idea as it gives schools greater freedom to pick the best person. It was only fairly recently (well 1980s i think) that you needed any teaching qualification to teach anyway if you had a first degree and at the public school I attended several of the best teachers didnt have formal teaching qualifications. Good teachers are good teachers regardless of their certificates!

Sat, 2012-07-28 17:06 — New statesmanKaren (not verified)

Absolutely agree are all teachers good ! I think not but are protected by their unions against the new teaching standards there will be some interesting changes

Fri, 2012-07-27 23:01 — Uncle Al (not verified)

Er.... no. Just, no. What planet are you on?

Fri, 2012-07-27 23:01 — Uncle Al (not verified)

Er.... no. Just, no. What planet are you on?

Fri, 2012-07-27 17:21 — Dark Heart of Toryland (not verified)

It's all very well to write that 'it gives schools greater freedom to pick the best person', but how is 'the best' to be judged? Scientists, engineers, musicians and university professors might be very good at being scientists, engineers, musicians and university professors; it does not follow, however, that they will be any good at teaching - particularly if they never had any training at teaching. Similarly, a teacher used to teaching privileged children in an expensive school in the independent sector may not fare so well at teaching in an an inner school which is much less well funded.