3rd February 2024
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) welcomes the reestablishment of the Stormont Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In congratulating Mr Givan on taking on the role of Education Minister, Mark McTaggart, INTO Northern Secretary called on him to, as a matter of priority, task the Department of Education Officials to enter negotiations to resolve the on-going pay dispute for teachers and school leaders.
Mr McTaggart said
Teachers and school leaders had the opportunity on the 18 of January to demonstrate their feelings regarding their profession and the failure of employers to recognise their true value. Members have demonstrated their capacity to fight for a salary that properly reflects their true worth to society, and which allows them to feel valued and respected by those in power.
The minister and his officials must now make a pay offer to teachers and school leaders that reflects their true value to society if they want children and young people to have access to the best possible education system. He must ensure that proper funds are now made available going forward so that the cuts made to education services can be reversed and a properly funded education system can be put in place that meets the needs of all.