Unions representing the island’s teachers hope the new Education Minister can help bring an end to the long running dispute over pay and conditions.

Dr Alex Allinson has replaced Graham Cregeen as Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, with Mr Cregeen taking the reins at Home Affairs.

The move brings to an end one of the most dysfunctional relationships between a minister and department professionals in recent years which has seen teachers pass a motion of no confidence in Mr Cregeen and the wider department.

Sara Ford, deputy director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: ’ASCL welcomes Dr Alexander Allinson’s appointment as Minister for Education, Sport and Culture and we look forward to working with him as we seek a resolution to the current dispute.

’We wish Graham Cregeen well in his new role as Minister for Department of Home Affairs.’

Acting general secretary of the NASUWT Chris Keates told the Manx Independent that ’our industrial action campaign continues, but we stand ready to work with Dr Allinson to find a resolution to the current dispute’.

Ms Keates added: ’Teachers and school leaders will be looking to the new Minister to swiftly demonstrate his willingness to come to the negotiating table and work with us to address the current issues around pay and workload which have forced members into their current campaign of industrial action. We hope the new Minister will recognise the importance of working with the teachers and the NASUWT to ensure they have the pay and conditions they need in order to do their best for the children and young people of the Isle of Man.’

However, while the unions are hoping that a new Minister may bring a new impetus to end the dispute and prevent a strike on March 31, Mr Cregeen recently told Tynwald ’the political members and I have been kept fully updated regarding the pay negotiations with the teaching unions, but have played no part in the negotiations’.

For Dr Allinson, the move to DESC represents his first spell as a minister, having been a political member of Home Affairs and the Cabinet Office and also chairman of Manx Utilities.

His replacement there has not yet been announced.

The move to Home Affairs is Mr Cregeen’s third ministerial position. He replaces the late Bill Malarkey, who died last month following a long battle with cancer.