Senior Government officials were last night said to be confident a mutually agreeable resolution with teachers was within reach after their row over missing paycheques.

Government held talks with Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Mike Charles yesterday, with Premier Ewart Brown saying he was confident recent "payroll issues" were not intentional.

Teachers have complained they had not received the five percent increase for 2008/09 as stipulated in an arbitration award, while some did not receive their September pay cheque.

On Wednesday morning, 800 teachers left their classrooms to hold a BUT meeting over the issue, meaning many students were sent home.

In a statement after the meeting with Mr. Charles, the Premier said: "I am confident the teachers know that these payroll issues did not reflect any bad intentions on the part of this Government.

"They should rest comfortably in the knowledge that their personal economic issues are being effectively addressed. I trust they can now refocus on the work they love — teaching our children."

Education Minister Randolph Horton has already apologised on behalf of the Ministry Administration to teachers who were not paid.