Inaccurate media reports about IfL

27 July 2010

Several press stories about the demise of quangos have inaccurately reported that the Institute for Learning (IfL) is to be abolished. These include an article in the Independent on 27 July 2010; we are writing to the editor to correct the inaccurate statements made.

IfL is an independent professional body, set up in 2002 by teachers, in partnership with unions and employer bodies. IfL is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, led by its members, by teachers for teachers.  It is governed solely by its Advisory Council and cannot be closed by the government or others. IfL is not a quango.

Since 2007, the government has paid most IfL membership fees, as a commitment to the profession and to help IfL become established quickly and cost-effectively. IfL is moving towards being  self-funded by 2013. This puts IfL in a strong and sustainable position as your independent professional body, on par with other highly respected and longstanding professional bodies, such as those for accountants, nurses, doctors and lawyers.

On 26 July 2010, John Hayes MP, the minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning minister, responded to a question in parliament about IfL's performance against its objectives:

"The Institute for Learning (IfL) is an independent professional body set up in 2002 by teachers in FE for teachers in FE, and in partnership with unions and employer membership bodies, with the aim of raising the standards of professional practice in post-compulsory education and training in England. It is governed by a national council consisting of elected members and representation from key national stakeholders. As such it is for them, rather than BIS, to judge IfL's performance.

"IfL members said in the most recent independently conducted satisfaction survey that 92% assess IfL's benefits from "fair to excellent", with 61% saying "good or excellent"."

Read IfL's letter to the editor of the Independent (PDF, 24 KB)