Public school teachers were handed pay rises yesterday after two years without an increase.

The award they got — 4.5 percent for last year, which will be paid in back pay, and four percent for the forthcoming academic year — was rejected by the Bermuda Union of Teachers during long-running talks with the Ministry of Education. The final figures were agreed by an arbitration panel after those talks broke down, and are binding as both parties agreed to arbitration.

No-one from the union was available for comment yesterday. However, the news sparked mixed reaction from teachers. One who works at CedarBridge Academy told The Royal Gazette: "It's not like the money isn't there. We've already seen evidence of money that really has been squandered in less useful ways such as the top-heavy management and the top-heavy Government organisation right now."

The woman, who asked that her name not be printed, claimed many teachers dig into their own pockets to help out students whose families cannot afford to buy them basic equipment, and also to supplement classroom supplies such as text books.

"I challenge anyone who is on the other side of the table, who's making the decision, to walk in our shoes even for a week and truly understand what we deal with and how we earn every dime of that money," she said.

She added that she could not rule out the possibility of a strike, although she was not in a position to gauge the wider mood within the profession.

Another teacher said of the pay settlement: "I don't think it's bad at all. Think about it — we are getting four percent on top of that 4.5 percent. The Government is not a bank. I don't have a problem with it. I would rather see them improve working conditions and the educational system itself than for teachers to be fighting over blasted money."

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Ellen-Kate Horton, said: "We are happy that the decision has been made and that we can enter the classroom in September with an agreement."