A recent report reveals that over 85% of teachers in Northern Ireland feel their workload is unmanageable. The findings stem from the Independent Review Panel, which examined the challenges faced by educators and school leaders. This initiative was part of the teachers’ pay settlement for 2024/25 and included responses from more than 7,700 participants.
The report indicates that 85.8% of teachers and school leaders believe their workload is excessive, while 77% struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Key issues cited include overwhelming paperwork, excessive tracking and monitoring, and difficulties related to pupil behaviour.
Recommendations and Government Response
The panel has put forward 27 recommendations aimed at alleviating these pressures. Among these suggestions is the enhancement of the role of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee, which would be fully resourced to facilitate necessary changes in the education system. Additionally, a call for the Education Authority to create a more effective framework for handling parental complaints has been made.
Paul Givan, Northern Ireland’s Education Minister, stated that he will thoroughly consider the recommendations. “Workload has been a key concern raised by teachers and school leaders since my appointment as Education Minister in early 2024,” he said. Givan emphasized his commitment to addressing these workload pressures, ensuring that teachers can concentrate on teaching and supporting students effectively.
He acknowledged the ongoing financial pressures but expressed that the report serves as a crucial reference for tackling long-standing concerns surrounding teacher and school leader workloads.
Union Perspectives on the Findings
The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) welcomed the report, describing it as a “stark and compelling vindication” of members’ long-held concerns. General Secretary Matt Wrack characterized the findings as a “watershed moment.” He noted, “It confirms in the clearest possible terms what the NASUWT and our members have been saying: teacher workload is out of control and is damaging both the profession and the education of our young people.”
Wrack highlighted that the panel listened to the evidence and presented a serious set of recommendations that, if implemented fully, could help rebuild a sustainable education profession. He particularly noted the emphasis on restoring teachers’ professional agency and the urgent need to address burdens related to assessment, special educational needs (SEN) provision, and unnecessary administration.
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT’s national official in Northern Ireland, added that the panel recognized that there is “no single solution” and called for a “framework of progressive reforms.” He stressed the importance of a fully resourced implementation plan to transform the recommendations into actionable improvements across classrooms in Northern Ireland.
McCamphill pointed out the significant stress and burnout experienced by educators, stating that this report must be a catalyst for genuine change rather than another document that risks being overlooked.
As Northern Ireland’s education sector grapples with these challenges, the response to the Independent Review Panel’s findings may shape the future landscape of teaching in the region. The urgency of addressing these issues is paramount, not only for the well-being of educators but also for the quality of education provided to students.
