The much-anticipated Education Bill, to replace a law that dates back to 2001, is likely to generate much debate.

Much of the content was flagged up a year ago, after a consultation on the principles to be covered.

The bill itself replicates and updates what is in the 2001 Education Act But there are significant changes.

In 2001, social media was not a major concern. Today it merits its own specific clause - with tough measures.

Home learning comes under the microscope while a general ethos of inclusion is underlined.

In some instances, it is not so much what is stated in the bill that will be the real bone of contention but the wording of any subsequent regulations that are enabled by it.

For instance, the bill says the department ’must make regulations’ about term-time holidays. The regulations may include provision for when a holiday is a ’reasonable excuse’ for absence and when it is not and allow for different circumstances.

But the regulations are likely to, in themselves, become contentious.

Elsewhere, the bill allows that the department may make provision for flexibility in school starting dates depending on the time of year a child was born.

Some things will change by omission.

The Education Council and the Religious Education Advisory Council, for instance, receive no mention, and will cease to exist if the bill becomes law without that changing.

Last week, Education Minister Graham Cregeen said he hoped to be in a position to introduce the bill to the House of Keys by April.

That has already been described as unrealistic, if the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, is genuine about listening to the feedback on the consultation, which runs until March 20.