Victorian Institute of Teaching Review
The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) was established in 2002 as an independent body with responsibility for regulating and promoting the teaching profession. This step was taken to further strengthen the support framework for the teaching profession in Victoria. The commitment given by the Government in 2002 to review the VIT after five years of operation has been fulfilled. The terms of the review were to determine whether the Institute was achieving its original objectives, whether these objectives remained appropriate in the context of contemporary expectations of government, the community and the profession, and whether the Institute had a role to play in this future environment.
The review undertaken by FM and JM King and Associates was publicly released in August 2008. The review findings confirm that the Victorian Institute of Teaching is integral to both the regulation and further development of a qualified, competent and committed education workforce which has the knowledge, skills and drive to improve the performance of our children and young people.
Our children deserve an education system that values and practices excellence at every level, while preparing them to successfully meet the challenges of an increasingly global and networked world. Developing teachers and school leaders, and attracting the best people into our education system, are key strategies of the Government. The work of the Institute and the outcomes it has achieved strongly support these goals.
Victorians have a right to be confident in the expertise and professionalism of the teachers and leaders who are educating our children. The independence of the Victorian Institute of Teaching and its charter of enhancing the quality and performance of the teaching profession, contribute to the Government’s goal of creating a world class education system which gives our children the best possible start in life, and continues to lift standards of achievement for all young Victorians.
I commend the Victorian Institute of Teaching on its performance in the first five years of operation. The reforms set out in the Response of the Victorian Government to the Review of VIT will support its continued contribution to the development of a culture of excellence for all teachers and leaders in Victorian education into the future.
Bronwyn Pike MP
Minister for Education