The Post Primary Teachers' Association executive's decision to suspend industrial action planned for tomorrow has been welcomed by both Otago principals and the Ministry of Education.
The PPTA and the ministry will resume bargaining after the ministry gave assurances they had an offer worth teachers' while.
Year 11 pupils were to be the first of a series of year groups to be rostered off, meaning teachers would be unavailable to teach them.
However, PPTA president Kate Gainsford said that, in a gesture of good faith, the action would be held off.
New Zealand PPTA Otago representative Jocelyn Hunter said the executive did not yet know what the offer was and the union remained ready to take the planned action if the offer did not meet expectations.
"We're more sceptical than curious at this stage.
"But we are also pleased to have the opportunity to sit down and negotiate again. We don't want any of this to have a negative impact on the students."
If negotiations were not productive, year 10 pupils would be rostered home for three days (October 27, November 11 and November 23) and year 9 pupils for four days (October 20, November 2, November 18 and December 1).
Bans on attending meetings and events after 5pm and taking part in call-back days at weekends or outside school hours remained in place, she said.
Otago Secondary Principals' Association chairwoman Julie Anderson welcomed the move, but was curious to see what the ministry was proposing for teachers.
"This is a positive move and we look forward to some constructive engagement to resolve the issues," she said.
Education Workforce group manager Fiona McTavish also welcomed the decision because it meant the two parties could get back to the bargaining table.
"We're sure that schools, families and communities will be equally pleased by the decision."
It was hoped bargaining would continue as soon as possible and both parties would continue to work towards a realistic settlement on behalf of teachers and their employers.
