THE possible co-option of lay members on to disciplinary panels of the General Teaching Council for England is a question which is still far from settled.
Whether panels can include co-opted members will be determined by regulations due to be published for consultation later this summer by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.
It is likely that these will be permissive on this matter. M advice to the Secretary of State is that it should then be for both elected and non-elected GTC members to decide whether lay members should be co-opted, and if so how.
My concern is to avoid any un-fairness to members called before the panels, by ensuring that cases are heard without delay.
Carol Adams
Chief executive
General Teaching Council
344 Grays Inn Road, London WC1
