AQO 3326/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 12/03/2026
Answered On Date: 25/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the work being carried out in relation to the National Association of Head Teachers' trade dispute over workload.

Answer:

Engagement has continued with NAHT officials, and the other recognised teacher unions, via the Teacher Negotiating Committee (TNC) structures. This work has been aimed at addressing excessive teacher and school leader workload.

On 10 March 2026, the TNC issued a joint communication to teachers and school leaders providing an update on ongoing work and detailing areas where progress can be made to address workload in the short-term.

As engagement is ongoing to address workload through the agreed collective negotiating machinery of TNC, the Northern Ireland Teaching Council, which represents the five recognised teaching unions, has confirmed that they are not in dispute with management side.

My officials are continuing to assess the recommendations from the Independent Workload Panel with a view to developing a detailed action by April 2026. This is in line with the communication that I issued to all teachers and school leaders at the start of February.