Views sought on proposed new Manx education act

Giving schools the power to restrict issions, adding protections for looked-after children, and making changes to religious education are just three areas in which the Isle of Man's education department is asking the public about.

A six-week consultation by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (Desc) wants to hear residents' views on the updated draft Education Act.

It also asks about plans for specialist education centres and emergency school closures, as well as grants and funding.

Minister Daphne Caine said: "I encourage all stakeholders - educators, parents and of the public - to participate" in the consultation, which closes on 15 June.

The Education Act forms part of government's longer term Island Plan to give "every child" the "opportunity to thrive and succeed", she added.

First published in 2022, the Island Plan has since been updated annually.

This consultation exercise builds upon a similar survey conducted last year.

One area of the consultation asks about establishing education facilities "outside of traditional school premises under certain conditions".

These would be to cater for children "who may not be able to access a conventional school environment" or who are "at risk of significant harm", it said.

An alternative provision centre could offer "a multi-agency approach" to provide "comprehensive ".

Proposed changes to education for looked-after children include the creation of a virtual school.

This would "allow the department to promote the educational achievement of children aged five to 19" who are subject to various care orders.

It would also give the department the "legal mandate to continue to these children" after compulsory school age until they are 19 if they remain in education".

The questionnaire also addresses issues in highly populated areas of the island.

It said there was "increasing strain in certain schools... due to the increasing number of children living in the catchment areas".

There are proposals are to give institutions the powers to restrict issions if they have reached capacity.

Another change could modernise the religious education curriculum, to include faiths outside of Christianity.

Other proposals include:

• The department could be given the power to make emergency school closures
• Official terminology would be updated from "special education" to "additional education"
• Bursaries would be introduced for training in fields "critical to national interests" such as nursing and teaching

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