Those that can, teach, those that can't ....

There is an old saying which all teachers have heard many times.
"Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach."

I have always smiled through gritted teeth when hearing this, but I always thought it was generally a way of teasing teachers. A little gentle ribbing.

Now I am not so sure.

Government policy seems to be reinforcing a belief that teachers "can't".
Each press release seems to imply that anybody but teachers can teach, but teachers themselves cannot teach. Quite a paradox.

People who have no teacher training whatsoever are now allowed to teach in state schools. This is because they can bring excellence to the classroom.
But experienced and qualified teachers are treated as though they have nothing to offer. They are not worth listening to. They have the status of something you have trodden in that you would rather remove from your shoe and not smell too closely.

In many parts of the world, teachers are held in the highest regard. In the UK teachers are not, and their diminishing status is not helped by constant denigration from some politicians.

Who are the politicians spreading this negative message? Are they paragons of learning?
Let's take a look.