MORE than 2,000 day-to-day sub teachers have applied to receive cash from an income support scheme - significantly below the number expected.
The school lockdown is now in its tenth week and many teachers have not received a single penny since classes ended.
Some told The Irish News that they faced losing out on thousands of pounds.
In England and Wales, the vast majority of supply teachers are contracted via agencies and have been supported through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
However, this was not open to those in the north as they are self-employed.
Education minister Peter Weir confirmed a £12 million support scheme this month.
It will ensure that eligible substitute teachers who had been working between January 1 and March 31 will receive income for the period April to June 2020.
They will receive additional money which will top up their income to at least 80 per cent of that earned in the period January to March 2020.
The assembly education committee yesterday heard that the application period for support had now closed.
Department of Education Permanent Secretary Derek Baker said 2,125 applications had been received - fewer than the 3,800 expected.
Eligible teachers would receive pay in June, Mr Baker confirmed.
