Chamber and committees

In 2007 the Scottish Executive published guidance as to what shall constitute appropriate qualifications for teachers of children and young persons who have a hearing impairment, or visual impairment, or both hearing and visual impairment. The qualification is defined in terms of specific competences as detailed in the guidance. These comprise the specialist knowledge, understanding and skills required of teachers to enable them to teach pupils who are hearing impaired, visually impaired or both hearing and visually impaired.

This guidance does not define the route to be taken in obtaining this appropriate qualification but acknowledges that there is a range of pathways, for example, through completion of a post-graduate diploma, accredited prior learning and/or local authority based training. It is for individual local authorities, as employers, to ensure that all teachers employed wholly or mainly to teach pupils who are hearing impaired, visually impaired or both hearing and visually impaired hold an appropriate qualification.

The guidance was drawn up in consultation with local authorities, representatives of the Association of Directors of Education Scotland and other key stakeholders.

We have no specific plans in this respect. The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that teachers have access to relevant and high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities in all areas of education.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11956 on 30 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The specific competences outlined in the guidance comprise the specialised knowledge, understanding and skills required of teachers to enable them to teach pupils who have hearing impairment, visual impairment or both hearing and visual impairment. It is expected that these competences would be acquired through teaching practice, as well as through other means.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11956 on 30 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Information on the attainment of deaf pupils is available from the annual pupil census which can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/25145216/4.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11956 on 30 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

It is for local authorities to ensure that they have the appropriate number of fully qualified teachers of the deaf currently working in schools.

The Requirements for Teachers (Scotland) Regulations 2005 which came into force on 30 September 2005 state that every education authority shall employ adequate numbers of teachers in the schools under their management, with the appropriate professional skills and knowledge necessary to enable those teachers to undertake the teaching duties allocated to them.

It is for local authorities to ensure that teachers working with learners who use British Sign Language become qualified at an appropriate level in the language.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11960 on 30 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Scottish ministers are not aware of any scientific research findings on sparrowhawk trapping and relocation.

Scottish Natural Heritage provides ecological advice to Scottish ministers. Scottish ministers receive legal advice from the Scottish Government legal directorate.