Northern Ireland’s largest teaching union the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has rejected the latest offer of a one per cent rise in teacher pay, arguing that any increase should be above the rate of inflation.
Justin McCamphill of NASUWT said: “Since 2010, inflation has risen by 15 per cent, yet teachers' pay has risen by two per cent. An offer of 1.37 per cent, which does have strings attached to it, is nowhere near enough to address the real cuts in teachers' pay.
"The education system is currently undergoing radical change, and teachers are subject to continuing and increasing pressure. Year-on-year, teachers continue to deliver high standards of education but their commitment and dedication should not be taken for granted."
The Department of Education (DoE) has accused the union of breaching a confidentiality agreement and maintains that talks over pay are still ongoing.
Education Support, the charity dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff, has released its ninth Teacher Wellbeing Index.
Nearly two thirds of Initial Teacher Training providers believe that teachers are not currently prepared to meet the government’s ambition to raise the complexity threshold for SEND pupils entering mainstream schools.
England’s councils are warning of a "ticking time bomb" in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, with new data showing deficits that could bankrupt local authorities within three years.
The regulations have been set following a second consultation and detailed collaborative working with organisations and people across deaf and hearing communities.