MANY years ago I worked briefly with the Rev Jack Malloch. He was a mathematician with degrees in divinity and law and experience as a teacher educator in Africa. Mr Malloch had one other quality – he could start a row in an empty staffroom.

During his time in the ministry he had even interrupted the installation of Lord MacLeod of Fuinary as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Not long afterwards he found a new target – the recently established General Teaching Council (GTC), with which all teachers in Scotland had to register. He particularly objected to the conditional registration of nearly 3,000 uncertificated teachers. Aberdeen Council subsequently dismissed him for refusing to register with the GTC.

He then conducted his own case in the House of Lords and won an unprecedented victory. Ironically, he later served on the GTC and relentlessly campaigned against unregistered staff in colleges of education. If I remember correctly, the police were summoned to one meeting during which he was particularly challenging.

I wonder what he would have made of the present furore surrounding the decision of the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) decision to raise its annual registration fee for teachers from £50 to £65. Unsurprisingly, teachers have been quick to condemn the 30 per cent rise, particularly at a time when salaries have failed to match ever-increasing workloads. They have taken to Twitter and other social networks to express their anger.

No one likes to pay more but some of the online traffic has been abusive and at times unprofessional. One assumes the writers are teachers who caution pupils about online abuse and cyber bullying. Equally disappointing has been the online questioning of the purpose of the GTCS and its value to the teaching profession. It brings to mind the “What have the Romans ever done for us?” scene in The Life of Brian; or, in this case, “What has the GTCS ever done for us?”

Few would dispute the need to regulate all professional groups including nurses, doctors, lawyers and teachers. The choice is between external and self regulation. Since inception, the GTC/GTCS has been internationally recognised as a model of professional self regulation. It has contributed hugely to public confidence in and acceptance of teachers as a regarded and trusted body. It has been an effective buffer between the profession and political pressure.

There is no English equivalent and things are not going swimmingly for teachers there. Do Scottish teachers want a similar, unregulated free-for-all? I suspect professional, thoughtful teachers know the answer to that one.

If Mr Malloch were around today he would note approvingly the disappearance of uncertificated and unregistered teachers in Scotland. He would approve of high professional standards and professional development. He probably would be generous enough to recognise the contribution of GTCS in establishing and maintaining standards. He might even think £65 was a small price to pay.