The public is being invited to help shape the future of education in the Island.

The Department of Education and Children is planning the first major overhaul of legislation governing it since 2001.

Prior to drafting a new Education Bill, it is seeking the public’s opinion on:

• religious education
• inspecting and ensuring the quality of pre-schools
• regulating and registering private tutors and education and training establishments
• more closely monitoring home education
• giving teachers wider powers to deal with bad behaviour
• clamping down further on truancy
• more rigorously enforcing catchment areas
• provision for pupils with special educational needs
• school governance
• the role of lay advisory bodies, the Education Council and Religious Education Advisory Council.

Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, said: ‘The shape of education has changed a lot since the 2001 Education Act, which underpins our work.

‘We are updating legislation to ensure the Island has an education system that meets its needs, now and in the future.
 
‘Ahead of creating such a major piece of legislation, we are inviting the public’s views in a number of key areas.’

The consultation is at https://consult.gov.im/ and paper copies can be requested from the Department of Education and Children, Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, IM1 5EZ.

Responses can be submitted online, by email to admin.DEC@doe.gov.im or by post to the Department.

The closing date for responses is Wednesday 22nd November 2017.