The Education Ministry says it is delighted to have reached a proposed pay settlement with primary school teachers and principals.
After months of negotiations between the teachers' union, New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), and the ministry, the settlement was reached yesterday.
Under the deal, teachers and principals will get a 2.75 percent pay rise from December 1, along with a $300 lump-sum payment.
"I'm delighted that settlement has been reached for each collective, and that the NZEI will recommend ratification to its members," Secretary for Education Karen Sewell said today.
"Thanks to the hard work and commitment of all the parties involved, the settlements will go out for ratification in the next few weeks."
Meanwhile, industrial problems continue to plague secondary schools, with another teacher strike yesterday.
There has been one full day of strikes since industrial action began in September and seven days of rostered strikes. Yesterday's affected just year nine students.
The Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) and the Ministry of Education have been unable to reach agreement over class sizes and hours, security of the collective agreement without clawbacks, and a 4 percent pay rise.
PPTA president Kate Gainsford said yesterday she was still hopeful an agreement could be reached this year.
"We have met with so many obstacles that I have to wonder whether the Government ever wanted to settle with secondary teachers...," she told NZPA.
The PPTA will meet with members on December 16 to discuss possible next steps - one of which could be escalation of strike action in 2011.
