The new Education Minister, Paul Givan, announced a multi-million pound scheme to get experienced teachers to Northern Ireland by raising their salaries. In addition to the bonuses, he has reserved a pay increase of up to 4% for teachers. This move is intended to increase their financial clout as they approach their impending negotiations with unions. Other school reforms Givan promised to have union agreements on education reform in place by the beginning of the new year. This is huge. This is a major first step toward healing deep-seated wounds plaguing the education sector.
The Minister’s plans involve delivering a concrete pay proposal to teachers for the 2025/26 academic year. Support for this proposal by both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Their advocacy ensures the grassroots political support that will be necessary for Givan’s directive. To bypass this advice from accounting officers he has issued a ministerial instruction to override it. This bold action reflects his commitment to moving these pay discussions forward.
Dr Graham Gault from National Association of Head Teachers Northern Ireland welcomed Givan’s announcement. He further observed that the recently passed $200 million financial package provides a starting point for beneficial negotiation.
“I am pleased that the minister now has a package of money that will open the avenue for negotiation,” – Dr. Graham Gault.
Givan went through the pay agreement specifics during an interview this morning on Good Morning Ulster. He strongly asserted his belief in developing a fair and sustainable pay scale for teachers that fits within the educational landscape. He was realistic, acknowledging the frustrations educators feel from all the outside pressures weighing down on education today. He made clear that he was committed to addressing their needs.
“I’ve made provision for a pay reward to be made up to 4% and that would be the basis upon which we will enter into that negotiating process through the proper framework,” – Paul Givan.
The Minister additionally touched on his desire to see teacher salaries nationally standardized. He particularly raised hopes that this would lead to a fair settlement on flooding issues.
“I do believe that it is reasonable that we would be aligning ourselves largely with parity when it comes to teachers’ pay,” – Paul Givan.
With negotiations about to begin, Dr. Gault in their testimony drove home the point that any resolution must be reached without strikes.
“Everybody in the negotiating room will be wanting strikes to be avoided so we hope that the minister will come with a package that will be acceptable to our members,” – Dr. Graham Gault.
The next round of negotiations would be the perfect forum for all education stakeholders to come together to resolve decades-old issues with how teachers are paid. Those discussions need to begin early next year. The hope is that with enough pressure and urgency a fair deal can be struck that recognizes the worth of educators across Northern Ireland.
