TEACHERS' PAY RISE - UCAC'S RESPONSE

June 2025 

At its meeting on Friday, June 13^th UCAC’s National Council expressed its disappointment with the Welsh Government’s proposal of a 4% pay rise for teachers.

Although the pay rise appears, at first glance, to be a considerable increase, however, it does compare favourably with the salaries of other professions and does not keep pace with inflation rates over the recent years.  The teaching profession is facing a recruitment and retention crisis, and it must be acknowledged that in order to attract and retain teachers, salaries must be competitive and appealing, reflecting the increasing demands on the workforce. The National Council felt strongly that teachers’ onerous workload along with pupils’ increasingly challenging behaviour need to be addressed urgently.   Recruitment and retention issues will only be resolved when teachers’ working conditions and pay are fair and honourable and when the workforce is accorded the respect it deserves.

Not only is UCAC disappointed with the report’s content, but it is also displeased with the delay in its publication and its failure to match IWPRB’s recommendation of a 4.8% salary increase.  The late announcement means that the workforce will not receive a pay rise until well into the Autumn Term. There is also concern and disappointment that the report has not yet been published in Welsh and UCAC laments the fact that the Welsh language is being treated less favourably than English.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES GCSE

Februrary 2025

A number of members have contacted us expressing concerns regarding the lack of time between the publication of documents and the introduction of the new Religious Studies GCSE.   The new History GCSE has already been delayed for a year.  This delay was the result of pressure on WJEC from various sources, including UCAC.  As with the History GCSE, UCAC has been campaigning for a delay in the introduction of GCSE Religious Studies and has clearly stated its concern that a number of crucial documents and training have appeared later than anticipated, thus curtailing teachers’ preparation time for the new course.  A letter has been sent to WJEC officials, including the Chief Executive, requesting them to seriously consider delaying the introduction of the new course. Teachers must be given adequate time to prepare, if these new courses are to be effective and successful.  Delaying the introduction of this new course would be beneficial to the wellbeing of teachers and learners.