The president of the National Association of Head Teachers says the island’s teachers will do all they can to support the island during the coronavirus crisis.

Max Kelly, executive head teacher at Dhoon and Laxey primary schools wrote to Chief Minister Howard Quayle saying ’now is the time to pull together’.

Minister for Education, Dr Alex Allinson explained to senior education staff why the government has chosen to keep the island’s schools open.

Mr Kelly said the teachers ’welcomed his commitment to work with head teachers and school leaders to develop guidance for schools in these challenging circumstances’.

He added: ’A range of contingencies and options have been communicated from government, including confirmation that this fast and fluid situation will no doubt require an ever-shifting response which may ultimately result in partial or full school closures for a period of time.

’All across Britain and the United Kingdom, the education sector is doing all it can to support the response to the Covid-19 outbreak, and we know that the education sector here in the Isle of Man wants to roll-up its sleeves at a time of national crisis.

’As a profession, we will do all we can to support the national effort, but we need to do it in a way that is safe and measured. For now that means keeping schools open and changing the way we work and operate in the face of increased anxieties and staff absences.

’No doubt that dynamic will change and we stand ready to work with you as this emergency continues to unfold. It will not be easy, but the scale of the crisis means that many solutions will have to be tried even though they are less than perfect.

’Now is the time to pull together and demonstrate the Manx spirit of cooperation and resilience, as echoed in our national motto, whichever way you throw me, I will stand, and NAHT Isle of Man commits to helping make this happen.

’And that will appropriate resources and support are developed in conjunction with NAHT along with key agencies to ensure that children and staff are kept safe.’