It comes after NASUWT announced it had welcomed the formal acceptance by the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council (NITC) of the 2025/26 pay offer.

Mr Mathison, who is also Chair of Stormont’s Education Committee, has said: “The value of the role teachers play in our society cannot be overstated and this development has come as a result of great perseverance on their part. I’m immensely glad that they will finally be getting this well-deserved pay uplift.

“Whilst this will be welcome right across the sector, it’s evident that pay will remain a reoccurring pressure each year for the foreseeable future. The Education Minister must set out, clearly and constructively, how he plans to manage the competing priorities in his department going forward.

“In order to ensure that teaching as a profession remains viable for the future, both for those already in the industry and those looking at getting into it, it’s essential that issues around working conditions, such excessive workload, are also addressed as a matter of utmost importance. Changes have long since been promised, and it’s time for meaningful action from the minister.

“Alliance’s priority as a party has always been ensuring that teachers receive the compensation and working conditions they deserve in order to do their jobs for the benefit of our children and young people. This remains our focus and we will continue seeking clarity and accountability from the minister and his department on commitments that have been made.”