Monday 10 June 2024
Teacher regulatory authorities from across the globe are joining forces in Brisbane to discuss issues facing the teaching profession.
The International Forum of Teacher Regulatory Authorities (IFTRA) Conference will bring together education and teacher regulation policy leaders to collaborate on their core work: regulation of the profession.
Held at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Kelvin Grove campus from 17-19 June, the conference will hear expert speakers present evidence from their jurisdictions to address the theme, Teacher Regulation for Quality and Quantity: Can it be done?
Delegates will focus on their roles as regulators in the context of teaching workforce challenges, and the need to uphold high standards of teacher quality where there are workforce pressures.
Day one of the conference includes two Brisbane city school visits, giving international guests the opportunity to see learning in action in Queensland classrooms and meet school staff and students.
The 2024 IFTRA Conference is hosted by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) on behalf of Australasian Teacher Regulatory Authorities (ATRA) - the collective of teacher regulators in Australia and New Zealand.
QCT Director Deanne Fishburn, the Convenor of ATRA and the 2024 IFTRA Conference, said she looked forward to hearing international colleagues’ updates since the last online conference in 2021.
“As the first Australian state to introduce a teacher registration system, it’s fitting Queensland is host to the first live IFTRA conference post-pandemic to address key issues for teacher regulators around the world,” Ms Fishburn said.
“In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, effective teacher regulation is more important than ever. By convening regulators from diverse contexts, we aim to facilitate meaningful discussions on key challenges and opportunities facing the teaching profession worldwide.
“I am confident the exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants will not only strengthen individual regulatory bodies but also contribute to the advancement of global standards in teacher regulation.”
The conference will feature a range of engaging sessions and workshops led by experts, including keynote speakers Professor Peter Shergold AC (Board Chair, NSW Education Standards Authority and previously the Chancellor of Western Sydney University) and Dr Andreas Schleicher (Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, OECD).
Topics under discussion include continuing professional development, professional standards, professional boundaries, and the role of regulators in supporting the teacher workforce.
Conference delegates will also hear from Toowoomba teacher and artist Ben Tupas. Mr Tupas won a unique competition run by the QCT in collaboration with Brisbane-based design company, Ruby Olive, to have a design featured on conference lanyards.
The 2024 IFTRA Conference is made possible thanks to our Major Sponsor, QUT.
IFTRA includes teacher regulatory authorities from Africa, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, the Pacific, and Australia.
Visit the IFTRA website for more information: https://www.iftra.org/
ATRA members include:
Visit the ATRA website for more information: https://www.atra.edu.au/