The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in Northern Ireland, has criticised the unaccountable precautionary suspension mechanism for teachers, warning the current approach leaves the system open to abuse.

Currently individual employers can place teachers on periods of precautionary suspension and the Department of Education picks up the cost. However, despite funding the cost of the suspension, the Department has no power to intervene in any individual case.

NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates said:

“The NASUWT has serious concerns about the number of teachers being placed on precautionary suspension. In the vast majority of cases the suspensions are protracted and turn out to be unjustified.

“The Public Accounts Committee has rightly asked difficult questions of the Department of Education, questions which the NASUWT has been asking for some time.

“Effective safeguards are urgently needed to protect teachers from unjustified, long-term periods of suspension which can have significant adverse effects on their health and well-being.”

NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland Justin McCamphill said:

“A lack of accountability for schools means that many rogue employers are capable of using suspension as a punitive sanction as opposed to a neutral act.

“The Department of Education must move to make individual employers accountable for these suspensions.

“Greater consideration must be given to the welfare of teachers and the impact on the education service.”