No response. No meaningful engagement. No reassurance for a profession already stretched beyond reason.
Today, NEU members in Northern Ireland are formally moving to dispute.
Teachers and school leaders across Northern Ireland have waited long enough for workload reform that delivers more than warm words and vague promises. The independent panel was clear. The profession was clear. Yet the response from the Department has failed to match the urgency of the crisis facing our schools.
“Workload cannot continue to be balanced on the goodwill of exhausted educators. If there is no meaningful action, there will be meaningful response.” – Edel McInerney National Executive Officer.
“We are deeply disappointed that the NITC letter has gone unanswered following a year of industrial Peace and constructive engagement through the Workload Review. We believed that we were at a pivotal moment in Education history, collaborating with a minister who 'heard' us but his failure to respond undermines this confidence and sends an unfortunate message to an already stretched workforce. Teachers and school leaders in NI need assurance that the report will lead to practical action and not further delays. We urge Mr Givan to engage directly with the concerns raised around workload pressures in our education sector as staff and children deserve so much more than what he is prepared to give.” – Tanya Wakeley Current NI District President
“When our Minister of Education issues an Action Plan with lots of guidance rather than clear instruction, responsibility for interpretation is shifted onto individual schools and their leadership team.
Guidance is advisory and it suggests good practice but does not require a consistent approach. As a result, each school may interpret and implement the guidance differently depending on leadership priorities and available resources. This can lead to significant inconsistencies between schools, particularly in the level of workload placed upon teachers. In contrast, clear instruction establishes a common baseline. Mandatory direction provides schools with clear expectations, reducing ambiguity and ensuring greater consistency across our education system and teachers workload.” – Pamela Cosgrove District Officer
This dispute is not about confrontation for the sake of it. It is about protecting education, protecting staff wellbeing, and ensuring our schools remain places where both teachers and pupils can thrive.”
#TeacherWorkload #SaveEducation