Education chiefs have hit back after a union said most teachers in the Isle of Man were dissatisfied with their jobs.

As we reported earlier today, the NASUWT, the teachers’ union, said that more than half of teachers (55%) in the Isle of Man were angry at the way they are being treated over pay, with nearly two-thirds (62%) saying they were seriously considering leaving teaching altogether.

The union also called for an above-inflation pay rise for teachers.

In a statement, the Department for Education and Children said: ’The DEC has 850 full time teachers and the NASUWT has surveyed only around an eighth of these (112).

’The DEC doesn’t believe that the views published by this small teaching union this week are reflective of the workforce as a whole but will glean a full picture from its comprehensive survey.’

The full statement reads:

’The Department of Education and Children (DEC) places great value on its dedicated workforce of teachers, who deliver an education system that is one of the driving forces of our successful economy.

’The department holds regular, scheduled meetings with the professional bodies representing teachers in the Isle of Man and is always willing to discuss issues as they arise between these meetings.

’Teachers’ salaries in the island are linked to those set by the School Teachers’ Pay Review Body (STRB) in the UK, by long-standing agreement.

’Salary increases locally are formalised via the Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC), which comprises representatives of the DEC, the National Association of Headteachers, the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the Association of School and College Lecturers and the NASUWT.

’The year 2017’s salary rise was 2% to the top and bottom of the main teachers’ pay scale and 1% for all the other salary scales, in line with the STRB recommendations.

’This increase was effective from September 2017.

’This additional pay claim from the NASUWT is therefore after the annual pay award and outwith the established process.

’The department strongly agrees that retention of teachers is important as we seek to raise the standards in education still further and improve opportunities for our young people.

’Some 6% of teachers have retired from or left the employment of the Department of Education and Children this year. This compares with 10% in the UK and is also lower than the rate of staff turnover for the public service as a whole in the Isle of Man.

’The department is always interested to hear from teachers about aspects of their employment.

’The minister and political members also visit schools on a regular basis to speak with teachers and discuss issues.

’JNC members - including the NASUWT - have been working to plan a full survey of teachers on a wide range of issues such as salary, conditions, workloads and training, and this survey will take place this autumn.

’The DEC has 850 full time teachers and the NASUWT has surveyed only around an eighth of these (112). The DEC doesn’t believe that the views published by this small teaching union this week are reflective of the workforce as a whole but will glean a full picture from its comprehensive survey.’