The Education Amendment Bill 2025 has passed its second reading in the House of Keys, but faces a rocky path ahead after being branded “unsalvageable” in its current form by one MHK.
The wide-ranging bill, moved by Education Minister Daphne Caine, proposes new powers to establish alternative provision centres (APCs), firmly established a ‘virtual head teacher’ for looked-after children, and updates terminology around special educational needs, now termed ‘additional educational needs’.
Mrs Caine argued the bill modernises the island’s education system. “It aims to address current challenges and future needs, ensuring our education system remains robust, inclusive, equitable, adaptable,” she said.
Flaws
However, Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper launched a fierce 45-minute critique, highlighting what he called major technical and policy flaws.
His central concern focused on the proposed APCs, which would educate pupils off-site while they remain on a mainstream school roll.
The Liberal Vannin leader argued that by not legally defining APCs as ‘schools’, they would operate in a “legal vacuum”, lacking crucial safeguards.
“The staff at that centre will have no powers to search or seize articles found in lockers or bags, no protections if they’re required to restrain pupils,” he said, adding that parental rights, such as withdrawing children from religious worship, would not apply.
He also criticised the wording allowing a child to be sent to an APC for “any other sufficient reason” as “massively vague”, and raised alarms over a clause permitting the department to retrospectively legalise an APC’s establishment.
“Are the department telling us they are intending to unlawfully establish and operate an APC before the law comes into force?” he asked.
On provisions for children with additional educational needs, Mr Hooper said the bill represented a “complete abdication” of responsibility by failing to introduce a statutory code outlining minimum service levels.
“Parents should absolutely have a right to know what they can expect from the department,” he told members.
Blank Cheque
Other MHKs expressed support for the bill’s aims but shared concerns. Julie Edge warned against signing a “blank cheque” to the department, while Joney Faragher said clauses allowing head teachers to refuse admission based on behavioural risk could “turn children away from education overall”.
Ms Edge also stated the change largely reflects current practice, saying, “teachers are already teaching Christianity alongside other major world faiths and non religious world views.”
She added that the wording change had “created a wave of angst in our society.”
Ms Edge also expressed concern about the lack of trust built into the system, arguing that the change to religious education law was unnecessary and had caused public anxiety.
In response, Mrs Caine defended the APC model, stating it “ensures that every child has access to the resources and support they need to thrive.” She confirmed children would remain on a school roll and receive a “bespoke alternative provision plan.”
Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas urged a focus on the positive, highlighting the recognition of trauma-informed approaches.
“It’s absolutely brilliant that finally, in the Isle of Man, we’re recognising that there are trauma affected children,” he said.
The legislation passed its second reading with 18 votes in favour and six against, but faces detailed clause-by-clause amendment in subsequent stages.