Education chief Ronald Barr has offered an ’unreserved apology’ after he wrongly told education support officers (ESOs) he had asked their head teachers to advise them of the changes.

The apology was referred to in Tynwald and the Manx Independent has obtained a copy of the email he sent out. It is understood some head teachers were confronted by ESOs, who said they were led to believe by Professor Barr that he had instructed those head teachers to update staff.

The problem arose following comments made by Professor Barr during the roadshow briefings held for ESOs late last month, when strong concerns were raised about the lack of notice and consultation on the change.

The National Association of Head Teachers challenged Professor Barr on his claims and, in response, he said: ’I must apologise unreservedly to you and all head teachers in respect of my comment at the briefings.

’Whilst I had genuinely thought I had asked you all to update your support staff, upon review of the communication I sent about the proposed transfer, it is clear that I had not.’ He admitted: ’I only advised you to inform staff to expect a letter at home about it and to reassure them that the transfer is not being undertaken as a way of reducing pay and benefits.

’I also accept that the subject header stating "draft" on this email wasn’t helpful.

’It was certainly not my intention to "blame" head teachers, and I have no hesitation in withdrawing those remarks. Please accept my sincerest apologies for this genuine error.’

Mr Cregeen said in Tynwald that Professor Barr had ’forgotten there was a confidential header’ on the email that he had initially sent out and that he thought its contents could be discussed.

It is further embarrassment for the department, after Mr Cregeen was investigated for alleged bullying during pay talks with unions.

While he was cleared of bullying, he was criticised for ’errors of judgement’ and a ’lack of awareness of the sensitivities of others’.

Despite Freedom of Information requests for a release of the full report, the government has refused.