AQO 3478/22-27

Mr David Honeyford
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 16/04/2026
Answered On Date: 28/04/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on 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. Last month, 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.

My officials are currently finalising a detailed action plan for my consideration to address recommendations from the Independent Review of Teacher Workload. I intend to publish this plan in the upcoming weeks in line with the communication that I issued to all teachers and school leaders at the start of February.

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.