Cap. 327 Art. 27Functions of the Council.

(1) Without prejudice to its other powers and functions, the Council shall regulate the practice of the teaching profession in

Malta, and in particular to -

(a) keep under review and assess education and training standards and on the fitness to teach of each person who chooses to practise the teaching profession;

(b) advise the Minister in relation to these standards, the initial and continuing training of teachers, proficiency, experience and qualifications required for holding and retaining a warrant under this Act;

(c) consider and advise the Minister with regard to applications for comparability and recognition of teaching qualifications;

(d) promote and encourage initiatives which ensure a continuing professional training and development programme for warrant holders;

(e) examine applications for a warrant to practise the teaching profession and make recommendations to the Minister on the award or refusal thereof;

(f) keep an official register of all registered teachers and another register of those holding a temporary warrant given under article 25, and record therein any suspension, cancellation and reinstatement of a warrant;

(g) keep an official register of all teachers’ partnerships;

(h) keep such information as may be required in relation to associations representing teachers in Malta and which are registered under the provisions of this Act;

(i) make recommendations to the Minister, following consultation with the associations registered under the provisions of this Act, on the code of professional standards and ethics that may be prescribed for the professional behaviour of teachers which among other things shall include references to the respect towards and the promotion of fundamental values in life that are enshrined in the Constitution and in the laws of the land;

(j) inquire into any allegation of professional misconduct, gross negligence or incompetence by a teacher;

(k) advise the Minister on any matter on which the opinion of the Council is sought by the Minister, including any advice on persons who practise the teaching profession while holding a temporary warrant;

(l) perform such other functions as may arise from this Act or any other law, or as may be assigned to it by the Minister.

(2) The Council shall, not later than three months after the end of each year, publish in the Gazette a list of persons or partnerships who on the 31st December of the said year, were registered for the first time in the register of teachers or in the register of partnerships of teachers.

(3) The Council shall, in the performance of its functions, keep in consideration the public interest, and draw up and publish a report every three years concerning its activities in general.