CUTS TO EDUCATION BUDGET CONDEMNED

The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Northern Ireland, will “vigorously oppose” any further cuts to the education budget, representatives will hear today.

At its Annual Conference in Belfast representatives will debate a motion highlighting the current savage cuts to the education budget.

And it will demand that whatever administration is formed following the 2017 Assembly elections, it must “engage directly with the NASUWT to resolve the trade dispute on pay, pensions, and conditions of service including workload and job loss".

The motion also calls for improved funding for schools to ensure they are not hit by employer increases to pensions and National Insurance contributions.

The NASUWT has staged two days of strike action in Northern Ireland following the imposed pay offer of 0% in 2015/16 and 1% in 2016/17.

Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The NASUWT condemns the continued assault on the education budget which will have a deeply damaging impact on the educational outcomes of children and young people.

“Despite providing a vital public service, teachers have faced year-on-year real-terms pay cuts.

“In order to continue to provide high-quality public education for every child, we need a teaching workforce which is well-paid and well-resourced or else serving teachers will continue to leave the profession.”

Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland said:

“Teachers are dedicated professionals who are committed to the children and young people they teach but they are seeing cuts to their pay, increases in their working hours and reductions in school budgets.

“The incoming Administration must engage with the NASUWT to resolve our trade dispute and respond constructively to our request for an improvement to its derisory pay offer.”