Joint Statement from Management Side of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee and the Northern Ireland Teaching Council (NITC)

At a meeting of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC) this morning (Wednesday 8th April), and following receipt of the appropriate approvals from the Department of Education and the Department of Finance, Management Side submitted a formal offer to the NITC to resolve the long running industrial dispute of teachers’ pay and workload.

Details of the formal offer are outlined in the executive summary attached. The formal offer, if accepted will bring an end to current industrial action with immediate effect following ratification.

The five recognised trade unions (INTO, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU and UTU) comprising the NITC will now consult with their individual membership on the proposals in advance of any formal acceptance.

Both Management and Trade Union Side recognise this development comes at a time of unprecedented crisis facing our entire community and the world beyond, and wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to all staff across the HSCNI who are working selflessly for us all. We also want to recognise the leadership and commitment demonstrated by the teaching workforce, who continue to play a crucial role in extremely difficult circumstances, in assisting with the fight to defeat this virus.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF AGREEMENT

1. The Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC), comprised of the Department, employing authorities, sectoral bodies and teaching unions, has reached an agreement on a resolution of the current industrial dispute.

2. The parties agree to a series of measures to address teacher concerns about workload and accountability and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the education system. The agreement addresses three key areas:

• Teachers’ Pay
• Measures to be progressed urgently
• Reviews in nine key areas

 Teachers’ Pay

3. In addition to incremental progression within salary scales, which for teachers, is payable by contractual entitlement, teacher salary scale points will be revised as follows:

With effect from 1 September 2017:

• a 2.25% cost of living pay award will be paid to all teachers; and
• teaching allowances will be increased by 2.25%.

With effect from 1 September 2018:

• a further 2% cost of living pay award will be paid to all teachers; and
• teaching allowances will be increased by 2%.

Measures to be Progressed Urgently

4. TNC has agreed that a number of measures in respect of workload, industrial relations, inspection and health and wellbeing will be implemented from the date of ratification of the agreement.

Reviews in Nine Key Areas

5. Nine key areas were identified for review during negotiations:

• Review of Employment Model for Teachers
• Review of the Use of Temporary and Substitute Teachers
• Review of Workload Agreement
• Review of Workload Impact on School Leaders
• Review of Workload Associated with Special Educational Needs (SEN) Provision
• Review of Accountability Framework
• Review of Consultation Arrangements – Management and Teaching Unions

• Review of Statutory Assessment at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3
• Review of Initiatives to Promote and Support Teacher Health and Wellbeing.

6. A dedicated Working Group will be established to take forward the reviews with the first six beginning as soon as possible and running concurrently. The membership of the Working Group will be seconded from their normal employment. Work will begin on all nine review areas as soon as possible to an agreed schedule.

7. The arrangements will not take effect until formal ratification of the agreement by the trade unions. At the date the agreement is formally ratified by both parties, all industrial action will cease. There will be a carefully managed and supported transition towards revised working practices in schools with an agreed implementation plan.

Rathgael House,   

43 Balloo Road,    

Rathgill, Bangor   

BT19 7PR           

T: 02891 279 765

Gerry Campbell

Chief Executive, CCMS

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 April 2020

Dear Gerry

Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 2) Notice (NI) 2020.. 

1. The Coronavirus Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 25 March

2. Under the Coronavirus Act 2020 the Department has the power to issue a Notice disapplying or modifying any one or more of the provisions  listed in Part  II of the Education (NI) Order 1996 and the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations (NI) 2005 for a specified

3. Please see attached a Notice in exercise of the powers conferred on the Department by section 38(3)(c) and paragraph 17(1), (2)(b) and (d) and (7) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act

4. The Notice modifies the duties on the Education Authority; Schools; Boards of governors of schools; the Health and Social Services Authority  and parents  to a best endeavours duty but only where the inability to comply with that original duty is attributable to the temporary closure of schools in Northern Ireland  or  the reallocation of Education Authority or health and social care resources to meet other essential services required as a result of the current outbreak of coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

5. The Department considers this as an appropriate and proportionate action as Statutory authorities are unable to comply with the original duties due to the temporary closure of schools in Northern Ireland and/or the reallocation of Education Authority or health and social care resources to meet other essential services required as a result of the current outbreak of coronavirus in Northern

6. The Notice lasts 28 days and can be revoked or amended if the situation changes before that. A further Notice may be issued after 28 days by the Department in respect of the same duty or duties, if

7. Under Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act the Department is required to publish a notice under this paragraph and to take such other steps as the Department considers reasonable to bring the notice to the attention of those likely to be affected by

8. I would be grateful if you could bring this Notice to the attention of any of your stakeholders who are likely to be affected by

9. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to call

Yours sincerely,

RICKY IRWIN

DIRECTOR, INCLUSION AND WELLBEING

EDUCATION

The Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No.2) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020

Made                             02 April 2020

Coming into operation  02 April 2020

 

 

The Department of Education• makes the following Notice in exercise of the powers conferred on it by

section 38(3)(c) and paragraph 17(1), (2)(b) and (d) and (7) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 20202•

The Department considers that the making of this Notice is an appropriate and proportionate action in all the circumstances because the current outbreak of coronavirus in Northern Ireland has hindered compliance with the statutory duties set out in paragraph I 7(2)(b) and (d) of Schedule 17 to that Act.

1. Citation, commencement and interpretation

(1).This Notice may be cited as the Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 2) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020 and shall come into operation on 02 April 2020.

(2).ln this Notice -

"cancellation notice" has the meaning set out in paragraph 17(8) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020;

"the Department" means the Department of Education in Northern Ireland; "the Health and Social Care Authority" means:-

(a)           the Regional Health and Social Care Board3; or

(b)           a health and social care trust established under Article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 19914;

"the specified period" shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 3.

2. Modification

The provisions referred to in sub-paragraph (I) are-

Articles 6 to 2 IB of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/274 (NJ. 1)) (duties in relation to special educational needs); and

1 2016 c.5 (N.I.) (See s.1(11) and the Schedule)

2 Coronavirus Act 2020 c.7

3 2009 c.1 (N.I.) (See s.7 and Schedule 1)

4 S.I. 1991/194 (N.1.1)

(b) Regulations 5 to 22 of the Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005 No. 384) (duties in relation to assessments and statements).

(3)           Any duty (the original duty) on any of the bodies listed in heads (a) to (e) is replaced with a best endeavours duty (a best endeavours duty) but only where an inability to comply with that original duty is attributable to the temporary closure of schools in Northern Ireland or the reallocation of Education Authority or health and social care resources to meet other essential services required as a result of the current outbreak of coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

(a)           Education AuthorityS;

(b)           schools in Northern Ireland;

(c)           boards of governors of schools;

(d)           Health and Social Services Authority or

(e)           parents.

3. Specified Period

(1) The specified period is a period of 28 days from and including the commencement date, unless the Department issues a cancellation notice before that period. A further Notice may be issued after 28 days by the Department in respect of the same duty or duties.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Education on 02 April 2020

Derek Baker

A senior officer of the

Department of Education

Notes

5 Section 1(1) of the Education Act {NI) 2014 c.12 (N.I.)

Due to the current restrictions due to  COVID 19, CCMS will cease to advertise any new appointments from today (24/03/2020) until further notice.  We will keep this under review.