Institute of Learning and Teaching

* The AUT executive narrowly averted a disaster for the fledgling Institute of Learning and Teaching when it persuaded members to remain behind the initiative.

Amid much hostility and antagonism, a vote to boycott the ILT was lost by a hair's breadth, as David Triesman told his members he was confident that, after a very bad start, the institute could begin afresh.

"They have still got to prove themselves after the last document, which was little more than a suicide note," he said. "But now is not the time to run away. I am confident we can get the right answers, although the institute can be sure that our support is conditional on our members being listened to."

Mr Triesman said it was vital for the profession that the ILT succeeded. "Students ought to be entitled to know that their tutors are qualified to teach," he said.

Leader, page 18 Science censors or 'censorship', pages 22-23