Teachers' leaders have condemned plans to allow classroom assistants to take over supervision of some lessons.
Education Secretary Estelle Morris said the move would free up teachers to concentrate on core activities.
But the National Union of Teachers condemned the idea as a "cynical" gesture to avoid tackling the teacher shortage crisis.
Ms Morris wants to recruit teams of support staff to allow teachers to concentrate on marking and preparing lessons.
Classroom assistants, who won't require a degree, will be able to cover for teachers off sick or at training courses.
But David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the proposals "would do nothing to raise standards and undermines the role played by high quality teachers".
November 13, 2001 12:01
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