Over 500 respond to education consultation

Manx residents want religious education to be treated like any other subject, pre-school education to be quality-assured and a register of tutors to be created.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture has published a summary of responses to its public consultation on the Education Bill.

Over 500 responses were submitted during the consultation last autumn.

The majority supported a number of the Department's plans, including seeking evidence from home educators on the standard of education being provided.

However, opinion was split over proposals to extend powers to fine parents whose children miss school, resulting in the Department reconsidering the plans.

Almost half of those who replied were against making children attend schools in their catchment area, but the DESC intends to retain the current policy that kids must attend a school in their area.

The Education Bill will replace the current Education Act 2001, and is designed to reflect changes in education practice in the UK.