The education minister has said she cannot guarantee there won’t be school closures amidst proposed strike action.
Julie Edge told the House of Keys that the Department of Education, Sport and Culture is currently contingency planning after teachers’ union NASUWT announced it would be taking strike action across six different days.
She said the department only received notification of the strike ‘at the end of last week’ and since then has spoken to head teachers to plan contingencies.
‘I cannot say it would not involve school closures,’ she said.
‘The department sought over summer to put together the best offer possible. It’s imperative for all concerned we build a future and repair the wounds.
‘Our offer doesn’t require schools in the Isle of Man to make any cuts as we’ve heard of in the UK. However, any further offer would require cuts to other services.
‘The department is committed to providing the best package for our teachers and we are in regular contact with NASUWT.
‘We are actively working to resolving all issues that have been raised. We need to work together towards a positive outcome.
‘My department is currently contingency planning and will continue planning with head teachers.’
She explained that due to the ‘lack of clarity’ on what action will be taken on what particular day, it has been ‘difficult’ to plan for contingencies.
‘It will be unknown,’ Ms Edge said. ‘It will be possibly on the day we find out what action is taking place.’
The department has offered teachers between an eight and 11.9% pay increase.
Ms Edge added: ‘I think it’s fair and sustainable.
‘We will continue our ongoing conversations with the NASUWT. We have an open door policy.’
She was unable to give the date of the next planned meeting with NASUWT.
The members of NASUWT will take six days of strike action over the coming months in an escalation of their current dispute with the DESC over ‘pay, workload and working practices’.
Strike action is planned for November 30, December 1, January 11 and 12, and February 15 and 16.