McGuinness announces details of teachers' pay inquiry

The Assembly's Education Minister, Martin McGuinness, has announced details of an Independent Inquiry into teachers’ pay and conditions of service.

Speaking at Parliament Buildings, Mr McGuinness said: “At a time when we are looking at how best to meet the educational needs of our children in the 21st century, it is essential to ensure that we have the right package of pay and conditions to support our teaching profession in the many challenges it faces."

The Minister confirmed that the Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee, which represents both teachers and management authorities, had reached agreement on terms of reference for the inquiry. These included career structures, pay and conditions of service and the negotiating machinery.

The Minister said that he had met with representatives from the Negotiating Committee and considered their suggestions, as well as the points made by the Assembly and the Education Committee. He decided to establish the inquiry on the basis of the terms of reference suggested.

The Minister stated: "The agreed terms of reference will provide for an urgent interim report on salary differentials for principals and vice-principals. I fully appreciate the concerns of principals and vice-principals about their salary arrangements and the need for appropriate salary differentials to ensure that we have dedicated professionals with the qualities to lead our schools. It is for the same reasons that the inquiry team will be looking at this matter first."

Mr. McGuinness also confirmed that the membership of the inquiry would consist of a small team of six members with an independent chair and said that they should be able to carry out their work within a period of between six to nine months.

He said that an announcement would be made about the membership of the inquiry as soon as the arrangements, which are now underway, had been completed, so that they could begin their work as quickly as possible.

(KMcA)