The Reform of Teacher Education in England and Wales: teacher competence; panacea or rhetoric?

ABSTRACT A recent publication by the British Government, the Consultation Document on the ‘reform’ of teacher education, is founded upon a premise that effective change in initial teacher training may be brought about by recasting the criteria in terms of teacher competences. It is argued that this formulation of the criteria is politically convenient and confers additional power upon those who seek to control teacher educators and teachers. Educationists need to appreciate that this approach to changing teacher education has been tried on previous occasions and that its promise and limitations have been repeatedly identified. The harmful effects upon teacher education must be recognised.