“Progress made” on teaching dispute since ministerial change

Negotiations on hold during coronavirus emergency

A teaching union says progress has been made with the ongoing dispute since the change of education minister.

Geraldine O'Neill of the NASUWT says the situation has improved, despite talks being on hold during the coronavirus emergency:

At the time of the ministerial reshuffle, government claimed it was 'not related to the pay dispute'.

In a statement, the education department says they remain committed to open dialogue with teaching unions:

"During the current state of emergency, any pay negotiations with the teacher unions have understandably been put on hold. The Department for Education, Sport and Culture is engaged in regular weekly meetings with teachers and their representatives on how we face the coronavirus challenges together.

"We remain committed to an open dialogue with all the teaching unions and to working together to find positive outcomes for the benefit of the Island’s children and young people and all our teaching staff."