Trips to China by government staff, fostering educational links, have been a success.

Education Minister Graham Cregeen confirmed staff had travelled to China to help encourage educational visits.

Asked by Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) if the trips had been a success, the minister said: ’Yes, the department does work with the Confucius Centre there. A number of staff have been out there as well and it is supported.’

Mr Moorhouse raised the issue in the House of Keys last week and also asked for details of school trips to East Asia and the USA.

Mr Cregeen said: ’Since January 2013, there have been 11 visits from island schools to East Asia. Since January 2013 there have been two visits from the island’s schools to the USA.

’For 2018, two visits to East Asia and one to the USA are planned.’

Mr Cregeen thanked the staff, ’who give up their time to make sure these trips are possible, especially those who give their time up out of term’.