Proposals to make obstruction of a school inspection an offence in Northern Ireland amount to a direct attack on the teaching profession and trade unions and will criminalise teachers, NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union said today.
The Union said that plans published by the Department of Education to fine teachers up to £2,500 for not taking part in school inspections were outrageous and would harm industrial relations.
NASUWT is calling on Education Minister Paul Givan to drop the damaging proposals which will only worsen relations with the profession and hit morale among teachers, who are the lowest paid in the United Kingdom.
NASUWT Acting General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “If the Minister truly wants to transform education in Northern Ireland he needs to invest in the teaching workforce – not try and turn teachers into criminals.
“Attacking hard-working teachers in this way for taking part in lawful industrial action is an attack on the entire trade union movement. ETI reports show safeguarding inspections haven’t been blocked and this is an attack on democratic rights and a grubby attempt at union busting, plain and simple.”
NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland Justin McCamphill added: “This is direct attack on teachers and more widely trade unions. The threat to criminalise teachers is outrageous and damages industrial relations.
“Teachers are viewing this measure as criminalising action short of strike action. This is unacceptable and needs to be withdrawn and the Minister needs to be addressing the issues, working with us and making sure we can build a world class education system in Northern Ireland."
