As of today, Sunday the 30th of September, the powers to
determine the pay and conditions of teachers in Wales have been
devolved from Westminster to the Welsh Government.
To mark the event, Education Secretary has reiterated her
commitment to set up a national model that will work with
teachers and professional bodies within the education sector to
create a system that is fair for all.
Earlier this year, the Education Secretary confirmed in a
written statement that a new national model would be formed to
determine teachers’ pay and conditions, bringing together
employers, teachers unions, and the Welsh Government on an
annual basis in a Partnership Forum.
Once formed, the new Partnership Forum will propose changes to
pay and conditions and address any additional issues, before
Welsh Ministers submit a ‘final’ remit for scrutiny by an
independent expert body - the Welsh Pay Review Body - prior to
taking any final decisions.
The Education Secretary said:
“This is a truly historic moment for Wales. For the first
time we will be able to determine teachers’ pay and
conditions within Wales, giving us a fantastic opportunity to
develop and elevate the status of the teaching profession.”
“The new national model will encourage co-operation, bringing
unions, employers and Welsh Government together for an equal,
practical and sustainable way forward – with the added
benefit of all decisions being subject to advice and review
from an independent expert body.
“Implementing the new model will be an ongoing process, with
many finer details to be considered to ensure that the model
is run fairly and is fit for purpose to ensure that teachers
are supported to be the best that they can be.”
