Northern Ireland's Education Minister, Paul Givan, has set out an action plan aimed at easing workload pressures on teachers and school leaders, responding to recommendations from the Independent Review of Teacher Workload he commissioned last year.

Givan welcomed the panel's report and, in February, wrote to teachers outlining interim steps to cut workload and pledging a detailed response in April. The publication delivers that commitment.

Paul Givan said: "For too long, workload has been a persistent concern for the teaching profession and previous efforts to address this issue have not achieved the change necessary.

"The plan I have published represents a decisive shift, from piecemeal initiatives towards a coordinated, system level approach. It delivers on my commitment to deliver focused actions on the recommendations made by the Independent Panel with clear ownership, governance and timescales.

"Crucially, the action plan is embedded as a key element of my TransformED strategy to strengthen teaching as a profession, support teachers and school leaders and raise standards for all learners." Key elements include action on working hours and flexible working, alongside measures acknowledging the increasingly complex role of school leaders. This features a phased rollout of enhanced administrative support, significant investment, and practical steps on teacher training in Gen AI intended to deliver meaningful reductions in workload.

Paul Givan concluded: "Despite financial constraints, the actions set out represent a significant commitment to teachers and school leaders. Their successful delivery will depend on continued collaboration, shared ownership and a collective determination, and sustained industrial peace across the education system to make this change a reality."

The Teacher Workforce Action Plan and the Minister's oral statement to the Assembly can be found at: www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/teacher-workload-action-plan and www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/oral-statement-response-independent-review-teacher-workload-report.