NEU highlight education cuts and poor teacher pay as holding education back

The Annual Lecture event from the National Education Union NI (NEU) highlighted the negative impact of education cuts on teachers' pay and the quality of education in Northern Ireland.

Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of NEU flew from London to join discussions and shared that Northern Ireland is mimicking issues seen in England and Wales.

The event was attended by educators, policymakers, and stakeholders, many of whom expressed concerned about the future of education in Northern Ireland.

The lecture was delivered by Ann Watt, a leading expert on education policy, local politics and economics who is Director of Pivotal.

Ann’s lecture focused on the challenges facing the education sector in the UK, including the impact of funding cuts on the quality of education and the pay and working conditions of teachers.

Ann’s team at the local think tank produced a report on a number of findings including that Northern Ireland’s schools need to modernise their curriculums and careers advice to reflect today’s rapidly changing job market.

They also found classroom time is too focused on coaching pupils to pass exams rather than on the broader education and development of children – including the sort of skills that will help employability.

The lecture highlighted the fact that funding cuts have led to a significant reduction in the resources available to schools and have resulted in a decline in teacher pay and conditions. Audience discussions pointed out that cuts have had a negative impact on the quality of education that is being provided. Dr Bousted told teachers in the audience that one day of strike action next week could not possibly have the same negative impact on children than the recent decimation of holiday hunger payments, extended schools’ scheme, and counselling and bullying support to name a few and thus to take a stand for the pupils in their care.

"The cuts that have been made to education funding are having a profound and damaging impact on the quality of education that is being provided to our young people," said NEU NI Vice President Edel McInerney, a physics teacher.

"Teachers are working harder than ever, but their pay and conditions are being eroded, and this is having a negative impact on their morale and on the quality of education that they are able to provide."

The lecture event also featured a discussion panel, which included representatives from Southern Regional College, industry, and school leaders. The panel discussed the importance of investing in education, bespoke careers advice and the need for policymakers to prioritise education funding in their budgets.

"The education sector is a vital part of our society, and we must ensure that it is properly funded and supported," said NEU Regional Secretary Mark Langhammer.

Edel McInerney, NEU Vice President and Head of Physics Teacher

"We need to invest in our teachers and provide them with the resources and support that they need to deliver high-quality education to our young people. Next week will see teachers strike for a full day as a result of their pay coupled with unprecedented classroom pressures with the loss of Engage and funded counselling for primary pupils."

The NEU is calling on the government to prioritise education funding and to address the issue of teacher pay urgently.

For more information on the NEU's campaign for education funding and teacher pay, visit the NEU website.