UK lists priority topics for migrant teachers

The United Kingdom Department for Education has highlighted the priority subjects for Nigerians and other nationals wishing to come to the country through the Teaching Regulation Agency from February 2023.

The PUNCH in June 2022 reported that DfE had announced they would be changing the way they award qualified teacher status to teachers from abroad.

According to the report, some issues that are much needed in the UK will be prioritized.

DfE said that under retained EU and national law, teachers from some countries can easily apply for QTS but not others, even if they have equivalent skills and experience.

It added that the new legislation will make this process consistent and fair, adding: “It will also support the transition of well-qualified teachers into the English workforce.”

Announcing a new development on visa status and how to apply, the UK Government on its websitesaid DfE: “A new professional recognition service called ‘application for qualified teacher status in England’ will set consistent standards so that the qualifications and experience of foreign teachers can be fairly assessed.

“It will eventually be open to qualified teachers from all countries outside the UK.

“From 1 February 2023, applicants with a teaching qualification from the following countries and regions (Australia, Canada, the EEA, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Ukraine and the USA) can use the new service to verify they meet Qualify Teacher Status requirements and apply.”

It further explained that applicants with a subject specialization in languages, mathematics or science and a teaching qualification to teach 11 to 16 year olds from Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Jamaica and India can use the service to verify that they meet the requirements for QTS and are applicable.”

Speaking about the priority topics, DfE noted that a teaching qualification that meets the standard of a level 6 qualification that qualifies you to teach children aged 11 to 16, and a bachelor’s degree that includes at least 50 per cent maths, sciences whether a language (excluding English) exists taught in English state schools.”

DfE listed the priority subjects as French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish, excluding the English language.

However, it added that there will be an update on other subject specialism by May.