Members of the National Education Union (NEU), the country's largest teaching union, have voted to accept a 6.5% pay rise and decided to put an end to strikes. The decision comes after the

independent School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) recommended an increase in teacher pay, with the deal incorporating an additional £900 million in annual funding for schools.

The NEU, representing over 450,000 teachers, lecturers, education support staff, and leaders, had previously undertaken eight days of industrial action since February in English state schools, leading to school closures or reduced class schedules.

The electronic ballot conducted among teachers revealed that 86% voted in favor of accepting the offer and ceasing industrial action, with a turnout of 60%. Support staff members also supported the pay offer, with 85% voting in favor and a 46% turnout.

Meanwhile, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) members in England have already voted in favor of the pay rise starting in September. The NASUWT teachers' union and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) are expected to announce their ballot results shortly.

The government has assured that the 6.5% pay increase will be "fully funded," with an additional £525 million allocated for schools in 2023-24 and an extra £900 million in 2024-25. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan welcomed the NEU's decision, stating that it would put an end to disruptions for parents and children, allowing a focus on providing a world-class education.

While the NEU views the pay award as a significant improvement, the union maintains that school and college funding is still inadequate. They commit to advocating for further increases in teacher pay and campaigning for better-funded education systems to retain and attract teaching staff and support every child's educational needs. Photo by AnemoneProjectors (talk), Wikimedia commons.