The majority of the State's part-time teachers will be given the same rates of pay as full-time permanent teachers following a Labour Court ruling issued today.
Trade unions welcomed the decision which they said will give "substantial" pay increases to several thousand teachers.
The new arrangements were negotiated at the Teachers' Conciliation Council and approved over the weekend by the Labour Court. However, talks on pension arrangements for part-time teachers are still ongoing.
The ASTI general secretary Mr Charlie Lennon said he expected the "immediate implementation of the new pay arrangements".
The move is likely to boost the salaries of around 3,000 part-time teachers at secondary level. Increased rates and arrears will apply from December 20th, 2001.