AQW 46489/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 18/05/2026
Answered On Date: 27/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the current teacher vacancy rate in (i) nursery and pre-schools; (ii) primary; and (iii) secondary, schools.

Answer:

In the 2024/25 academic year the teacher vacancy rate in (i) nursery schools was 3.7%, (ii) primary schools was 1.7% and (iii) secondary schools was 1.4%.

Please note, the teacher vacancy rate has been calculated using the number of unfilled vacancies divided by the headcount of teachers in November 2024. This is the most recent data available. Data relating to November 2025 will be available next month.

The teacher vacancy data is collected at the start of November each year through the Teacher Vacancy Survey. The survey provides a snapshot of the vacancies in schools at that time each year.

The headcount of teachers is taken from the Teachers’ Payroll System in November each year and validated with schools.

It should be noted that data is not available for voluntary and private pre-schools. In addition, data in relation to nursery units attached to primary schools is included in the figure presented for primary and cannot be disaggregated.