Stormont's Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed a decision by the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) to accept a 5.5% pay offer for teachers.
The pay settlement was agreed by the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC), which represents the teaching unions in negotiations with management, and will bring to an end the ongoing industrial action.
Teachers rejected an initial offer in February – a move that appeared less about the proposed pay rise and more about concerns over workload. A new offer was tabled by the management side of negotiations last month that included what was described as an enhanced package of commitments around reducing workload.
Despite that, teachers again rejected the proposed package. Teachers have been engaging in industrial action short of strike during the pay dispute.
It's anticipated that the pay increase will be applied to most teachers in May and a full-time teacher on the starting salary would receive £1,237.50 in back pay (before statutory deductions) for the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 May 2025.
It means a full-time teacher on Upper Pay Scale Point 3 would receive £1,913.25 in back pay (before statutory deductions) for the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 May 2025.
Education Minister Paul Givan said: “Intensive work had taken place to find the funding from within the 2024/25 education budget to enable us to offer a 5.5% pay increase. I am pleased that the five trade unions which make up the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council have now formally accepted this on behalf of their members.
“The pay settlement will see the starting salary for graduate teachers increasing to £31,650. This is an increase of £1,650 over the year and it follows on from the teachers’ pay settlement in April 2024 which saw the starting salary for teachers raised by almost 25%. New teachers are now being paid £7,513 more than the salary paid prior to the Executive returning last year.
“Today’s pay award reflects the value that I place on those working in education. It firmly demonstrates my support for teachers and recognises the vital contribution they make to children’s life chances.”
Acknowledging the workload concerns that have been raised by teachers and school leaders, Mr Givan added: “Constructive negotiations have taken place with trade unions and I have listened to their concerns about workload. I want to make meaningful progress on the issues to ensure that teachers have the time and space to focus on what matters most – teaching, learning and supporting pupils in the classroom.
“In order to seek to break the deadlock, I proposed a commission to conduct an Independent Review of all aspects of workload, that will be taken forward by a three-member panel, comprising an independent chair appointed by me, a member nominated by the unions and a member nominated by Management Side.
“The Panel will examine workload and report to me by the end of November 2025. It will also monitor the implementation of the Heads of Agreement commitments issued alongside the Management Side pay offer.”
Jacquie White, UTU General Secretary and Chair of NITC said this is a significant first step in the process of delivering tangible change for the teaching profession.
“All parties involved – the Minister, the employers and the teaching unions – are now committed to addressing the concerns which have been raised by teachers and school leaders over a considerable period of time. We welcome the opportunity for real change which this agreement presents.”
Mark McTaggart, INTO Northern Secretary, and Secretary of NITC said it's been a long and difficult journey to find a resolution to this pay dispute.
“The pay offer of 5.5% is a further step in the right direction toward ensuring that teachers’ pay truly reflects the value of teachers and school leaders to our society. The independent Review of teachers’ workload is the best vehicle to address the issues around teacher workload to move to a position where teachers will have an acceptable work/life balance.”
Justin McCamphill NASUWT National Official and Vice Chair of NITC added: “I want to pay tribute to all teacher who have stood firm in their pursuit of fair pay and better working conditions. Teachers can be assured that we will work together to bring their concerns to the independent review of workload while also ensuring that previous commitments are implemented.”
Graham Gault, NAHT NI National Secretary said: “Minister Givan’s recent intervention marked an important turning point in this campaign. We are grateful for his recognition of the unsustainable workload pressures affecting both teachers and school leaders.
“We remain committed to a comprehensive examination of workload, aiming to transform the conditions of school leadership and the wider teaching profession, making the role not just sustainable, but truly impactful for our pupils, schools and wider communities. We now look ahead to a period of focused engagement with the Independent Review Panel to help achieve that goal.”
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