Some interesting points.

What qualifies someone to work as an IT tech in a school? I can tell
you that the patience of a saint and the hide of a rhino are two
qualities that outweigh any badge you care to name. WRT big shiny gold
badges; if the school has a MS based system then it seems to me that
an MS badge is appropriate, if you want badges that is. I suspect many
schools just don't have the time or know-how to assess individuals
aptitude so perhaps for some schools, possession of an MS gong
signifies a certain level of proficiency. This is most unfortunate. I
can tell you from personal experience in industry that badges can mean
just that or mean nothing at all. I know "boot camp" CCNPs who could
not log into a router - literally - I kid yon not! (She lasted a
month). Interesting to see that Chase Terrace Technology College want
NVQ 3 for IT Practitioners or equivalent for their new ICT tech.
(£14,787 - £17,985 woohoo) This seems a better scheme to me.