Teachers in Northern Ireland have called a 4% pay rise “a fair outcome” but said the “excessive workload” facing staff still needs addressed.
Around 87% of NASUWT members, the largest teaching union, had voted in favour of a consolidated cost-of-living pay award that will be backdated from September 1, 2025.
NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack said this was a “fair outcome” for teachers that “demonstrates what can be achieved through constructive negotiation, even under significant constraint”.
He has now called on the Education Minister Paul Givan to urgently address “the scourge of excessive workload.”
Justin McCamphill, the NASUWT’s NI representative, said the uplift matched pay awards in England, was above inflation and was secured “without any detrimental conditions.”
He added: “Teachers need and deserve a sustained reduction in their unsustainable workloads. Progress on this agenda is non-negotiable and will be the measure of whether we secure long-term industrial peace.”
Teaching unions have welcomed the latest pay award, but say that ‘excessive workloads’ must now be addressed. (PA/PA)
The Ulster Teachers’ Union General Secretary Jacquie White said: “Whilst we had hoped for more, we believe this offer to be reasonable given the current financial constraints facing the public sector.”
National Association of Head Teachers president Joanne Whyte thanked the Education Minister Paul Givan for his efforts to make the funding available, but said the “financial relief” did not solve all problems.
“Our focus now turns to the host of other significant issues including, of course, the intolerable levels of school leader workload and shortfalls in school funding, both of which continue to undermine the sustainability of school leadership.”
The management side of the Teacher’s Negotiating Committee said the agreement was an example of “positive industrial relations in our schools.”
Representing the different education employment authorities, a spokesperson said: “We believe that this pay award underscores the value we place on the teaching profession and acknowledges their critical role in securing better outcomes for our children and young people.”
Education Minister Paul Givan. (Liam McBurney/PA)
Mr Givan said the settlement would now see the starting salary for graduate teachers increase to £32,916 with an experienced teacher at the top end of the payscale moving to £50,876.
“This brings teachers in Northern Ireland onto broadly comparable scales to their counterparts in England and Wales,” he said.
“Today’s pay award reflects the value that I place on those working in education, despite the severe financial issues facing education and the wider public sector in Northern Ireland. It firmly demonstrates my support for teachers and recognises the vital contribution they make to children’s life chances.”
He also promised he would respond to an independent review on teacher workload within the coming weeks.
The Department has said the increase will cost an extra £38.3m for 2025/26 and an annual recurring cost after of £65.6m.