The latest proposed pay offer from employers and the Department of Education does “not acknowledge the contribution teachers are making”, according to Belleek woman Marie O’Shea, Chairperson of the Irish National Teachers’s Organisation’s (INTO) Northern Committee.

Employers have offered a 3.2 per cent increase over two years, while unions were looking for an initial 6 per cent increase.

Ms. O’Shea said the latest offer “falls significantly short of both our expectations and that of our members”.

Continuing, she said: “INTO is firmly of the view that for any offer from the Management Side to be acceptable to our membership, it must reflect the ongoing efforts by our members who, during the Covid-19 pandemic, ensured that the vital routine of the education system remained working effectively for the children and young people in their care.

“Any award offered to teachers needs to reflect this, and offset the effects of the rising inflation we are currently experiencing.”

The Northern Ireland Teachers Council (NITC), which includes five unions, has been in discussion with employers which include representatives from the Department of Education and the Education Authority.

With the latest offer rejected, Ms. O’Shea hopes the Management Side will return to the negotiating table, but expects there are difficulties in the way.

“We can’t guarantee anything. There is a whole perfect storm, for want of a better phrase, with a lot of things going on in relation to the Stormont collapse, the forthcoming elections, and the ministers moving into purdah.

“It is very difficult to see how things can be moved forward, so we are looking at all options available to us and we are continuing to have conversations with all of the unions.”

Minister for Education Michelle McIlveen said she was disappointed with a lack of progress on teachers’ pay negotiations, and that the Management Side will now take time to consider how the matter should be progressed before engaging again with NITC.