Teachers found guilty of misconduct could be banned from the classroom under new Fitness to Teach rules.

Teachers may be struck off if found guilty of serious misconduct, under new rules. More at 1 @TodayFMNews pic.twitter.com/H5aUwvf2iE

— Helen Vaughan (@HelenVaughan24) July 25, 2016

ItÂ’s the first time that complaints about teachers will be taken beyond your local school, and anyone can lodge a complaint with the Teaching Council.

The new system – which comes into force today – will make it easier for parents, students and other teachers – to lodge complaints about teachers.

(Director of the Teaching Council, Tomás O’Ruairc)

Up to now, all disciplinary issues for teachers were dealt with at school level

The Deputy General Secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Diarmud De Paor, is cautiously welcoming the new system.

Helen Vaughan reports.