Minister and union representatives defend performances of Manx schools

Isle of Man pupils shouldn't be directly compared with English counterparts

The percentage of Manx primary school pupils reaching a good level of development can't be directly compared with English students.

That's the response from Education Minister Graham Cregeen and representatives from the education unions.

Data which will be circulated in Tynwald today [Tuesday] showed the Island currently falls short of the average in England.

Union members believe the inclusive nature of the Manx education system and class sizes all have an impact on the figures.

This is just the second time the Department of Education, Sport and Culture has assessed GLD, and Minister Cregeen says the Island is ahead of where England was after two years.