Commenting on the announcement of the immediate suspension of the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), Dr Graham Gault, president of NAHT Northern Ireland, said:

"NAHT(NI) have been concerned about the ineffectiveness of the GTCNI for some time.

"In October, our President addressed the NAHT National Conference in London on this issue and our senior staff met with the Permanent Secretary, calling for urgent reform of the organisation.

"The Minister's announcement to immediately 'stand down' the current council and take responsibility for providing direction and oversight to the GTCNI's Executive staff team, ahead of future legislation to dissolve the GTCNI is welcome.

"As the school leaders' union, NAHT wants an organisation that is resourced and equipped to effectively deliver registration and regulation of the teaching profession, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to work alongside the Department and other stakeholder bodies in designing a professional body that will be fit to deliver these statutory duties for the sake of our children and young people and the profession that we hold so dear."