Minister aims to bring Education Bill to branches by April

Seven-week consultation starts today

The minister for education, sport and culture says he hopes the Education Bill will be brought forward by April.

The consultation on the draft bill - which proposes changes to school attendance, school inspections and home education arrangements - opened today and runs for seven weeks.

The House of Keys has heard teachers were "aware" of the draft bill, and teachers' unions had been given a copy last week for consideration.

However, Middle MHK Bill Shimmins felt with the seven-week consultation period, there seemed little time for any amendments if the bill was coming to the branches in April, unless the Department had already made its mind up.

Minister Graham Cregeen rejected such a notion: (play audio)

You can view the consultation and have your say via the government website https://consult.gov.im/education-and-children/the-new-education-bill/