The education minister has defended the way the decision to close the island’s schools was handled earlier this month.
Snow and ice, which had cancelled buses, eventually led to a decision to keep schools shut on Monday January 5.
Having originally promised a decision by 7am, the DESC announced at 7:21am that there would be a further decision later that morning, before eventually decision to keep the schools closed for the whole day.
Daphne Caine told members the decision was taken following advice from several parts of government, including the Police, DoI, Manx Care and school leaders.
Safety
The minister told members: “The safety and wellbeing of our school communities is and will remain the department’s foremost priority.”
However, the decision process was heavily criticised by members.
Tim Glover questioned the initial choice of a half-day closure: “At the time that decision was announced late, there were no buses running. It had already been said that there’d be no school meal provision, and the weatherman on Manx Radio at 6am had said there was no chance of any thaw.”
Mrs Caine replied: “At the time of the strategic coordinating group’s first meeting, the weather forecast showed a small expected improvement in temperatures, and teams were continuing work to clear the roads, paths and the school grounds.
“In considering the negative impact of school closures for the island, the decision was taken to recommend a delay to opening schools initially, rather than a complete closure at that time.”
Care
Julie Edge raised concerns about duty of care if schools had opened at lunchtime, highlighting significant gaps before lessons would begin.
Mrs Caine said: “The department was aware that considering a half day opening would be challenging.
“However, on hearing all of the available information and considering the impact of a full day closure on all concerned, the department wished to consider the option.”
Rob Callister also sought clarity on where the final decision lay, asking if the strategic group made the recommendation and if the minister made the final decision.
Ms Caine confirmed that the minister “makes the final decision on whether schools will not be open based on the recommendations received by officers and forwarded from that group’s deliberations”.
However, MHKs repeatedly criticised the lack of certainty for parents.
Tim Glover that the delayed announcement, which was then just a half day closing “actually provided parents with no certainty or guidance whatsoever”.
While Jason Moorhouse argued that the indecision was counterproductive, saying: “A half day closure with further uncertainty is far more disruptive for parents, students, businesses, everybody concerned than announcing a full day closure at the outset.”
Delay
On the delayed announcement, Mrs Caine said: “The strategic Coordinating Group accepts that there was an expectation, although they had announced the decision would be made by 7am, there was the expectation that it would be announced in the media at that time, and they apologised for the delay to that.
“I received it at 7am and given the need to communicate the decision and the announcement that it was going to be reviewed mid morning, I instantly accepted the decision.”
Former minister Ms Edge questioned the entire process, telling members: “I have actually been through this process and know very clearly how it should work, and it clearly hasn’t worked.”
She asked when the strategic coordinating group took over the role of the minister in adverse weather conditions.
In her defence, Mrs Caine emphasised the complexity of the decision and the information flow from ground staff to the tactical and strategic groups.
She added: “The decisions were made with the best of intentions, with the best amount of knowledge that we had on the day. Wouldn’t it be easier if we all had absolute certainty? There wasn’t the decisions were made with the best of intentions, with the best amount of knowledge that we had on the day.”
She also indicated that a review would be held after what happened.