DESC disputes findings in school funding review

Daphne Caine clashed with backbench MHKs over her decision not to clarify the figures

The education minister has been facing questions about why the Isle of Man's schools spend less per student compared with neighbouring jurisdictions.

Daphne Caine says the formula is 'incredibly complex' and accounts for "age-weighted pupil numbers, maximum class sizes, staff contact ratio, floor area, free school meals percentage and the number of pupils with complex learning needs".

A recent review of school funding found the Island's spending to be the lowest among the UK and Crown Dependencies, with Jersey and Guernsey spending nearly double the Manx figure of £5,639.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture disputes those figures though but says it's unsure how the independent review made its calculations.

When asked if she was making attempts to clarify and understand them, Mrs Caine didn't think it would be a useful exercise.

Instead, she maintains her department has calculated spend per pupil and the results are "on par" with other jurisdictions: