Chief Minister Howard Quayle has announced an independent review into the deteriorating relationship between education chiefs and teachers.

But the review will not cover the current pay dispute. Instead it will examine other issues that have become apparent as the dispute has rumbled on.

The announcement was made in the House of Keys this morning.

Mr Quayle said the review would run in ’tandem’ with the negotiations on the pay row. Three unions - the NAHT, NASUWT and ASCL - are in dispute with the Department of Education.

A fourth, the NEU, had recommended to its members that they accept an offer from the department, but the membership voted against the deal.

’It has become apparent as these disputes have developed, that there are broader issues underpinning these matters, which might benefit from a critical examination of the governance arrangements within the department and how the department interacts with the schools,’ said Mr Quayle.

’That being so I can confirm my intention for the Council of Ministers to build on the work already being initiated by the department and commission an independent review of these matters, reporting directly to the Council of Ministers.’

However, he later emphasised that Education Minister Graham Cregeen had his confidence.

The NAHT and ASCL have begun industrial action short of a strike, while the NASUWT has indicated it will start industrial action short of a strike from February 24 - after half-term.

Mr Quayle warned there was a possibility that industrial action could affect lunchtimes at schools and parents may have to be called on to look after their children - but added he hoped that the pay talks would avoid it reaching that stage.