A recent report reveals that over 85% of teachers in Northern Ireland believe their workload is unmanageable. The findings stem from an examination conducted by the Independent Review Panel, which surveyed more than 7,700 educators and school leaders as part of the teachers’ pay settlement for the 2024/25 academic year.
The report indicates that 85.8% of respondents feel overwhelmed by their workload, while 77% struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Key challenges highlighted include excessive paperwork, tracking and monitoring, and issues related to pupil behaviour.
Recommendations and Responses
The panel has formulated 27 recommendations aimed at addressing these concerns. Among the suggestions is a proposal to enhance and fully resource the role of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee, as well as to develop a more robust framework through the Education Authority to assist schools with parental complaints.
Education Minister Paul Givan stated he will carefully consider the panel’s recommendations. “Workload has been a key concern raised by teachers and school leaders since my appointment as Education Minister in early 2024,” he noted. Givan emphasized his commitment to tackling workload pressures to allow teachers to focus on their primary responsibilities in the classroom.
He acknowledged the ongoing financial pressures but affirmed that the report provides a crucial foundation for addressing the longstanding issues regarding teacher and school leader workloads.
Union Reactions
The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) welcomed the report as a significant validation of its members’ long-standing concerns. General Secretary Matt Wrack described the findings as a “watershed moment” for the profession, asserting that the report confirms that teacher workload has reached an unsustainable level, adversely affecting both educators and students alike.
Wrack expressed hope that the panel’s recommendations, if implemented thoroughly and urgently, could initiate a much-needed transformation within the profession. He highlighted the importance of restoring teachers’ professional agency, advocating for genuine consultation regarding Directed Time Budgets, and addressing the burdens of assessment and administrative tasks.
Additionally, Justin McCamphill, a NASUWT national official for Northern Ireland, emphasized that the report identifies the necessity for a comprehensive framework of progressive reforms, stating, “The challenge now is delivery.” He underscored the need for a fully resourced implementation plan to translate the recommendations into tangible improvements across classrooms in Northern Ireland.
The report serves as a call to action, with McCamphill urging that it must be a catalyst for real change rather than another document that risks being overlooked. The significant levels of burnout and stress among educators cannot continue, and addressing these issues is essential for the future of education in the region.
