NAHT says the evidence given by senior officials does not reflect members’ real experiences, with school leaders’ concerns too often “overlooked or ignored”.
The Tynwald Select Committee on Whistleblowing Policy Implementation took evidence on Thursday from senior public servants, including Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) Chief Officer Graham Kinrade.
The inquiry is examining how whistleblowing policies are being applied across Government.
Evidence Does Not Match Members’ Experiences
NAHT, which has submitted its own evidence to the inquiry, said the picture presented by officials does not align with what school leaders have experienced in recent years.
Assistant general secretary Rob Kelsall said: “The evidence being presented to the inquiry is not the lived experience of our members, or of this union, whose concerns have often been overlooked or ignored.”
He said the union’s priority is ensuring that staff at every level can raise concerns “without fear and with full trust in the systems designed to protect them”.
Industrial Dispute With DESC
The union was embroiled in an industrial dispute with DESC last year, citing what it described at the time as the “misuse of disciplinary proceedings, disregard of agreed policies, and victimisation of union members and officials.”
Members voted in favour of industrial action ahead of the autumn term, but this was averted after an agreement was reached to secure progress on key issues and establish a framework for continued dialogue.
Calls for Independent Review
NAHT says it has previously raised concerns about the processes used in an earlier preliminary inquiry involving DESC and continues to seek “clarity, learning and improvement”.
The union has proposed several measures aimed at strengthening confidence in whistleblowing and case‑handling systems, including:
- an independent review of previous processes
- steps to enhance transparency
- improvements to the structure of senior‑officer case handling
Mr Kelsall said the Select Committee’s work is vital for restoring trust: “It is in everyone’s interest, including school leaders, staff and the wider public, that these systems are transparent, robust and trusted.”
Commitment to Constructive Engagement
NAHT says it remains committed to working with government to ensure staff feel safe and supported when raising concerns.
The union represents school leaders across the Isle of Man and has a long‑standing interest in ensuring that whistleblowing and reporting mechanisms are fair, consistent and trusted.
