School leaders’ union NAHT has today written to the Education Minister and Chief Executive Officer calling for negotiations on pay to be reopened following a vote to reject the latest pay offer for school leaders on the island.

55% of NAHT members on the Isle of Man voted to turn down the offer in a secret ballot which closed at 5pm today (03/02/22). This follows last week’s meeting, in which NAHT members, who represent every school on the island, discussed the offer that had been made following negotiations with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC).

Rob Kelsall, NAHT National Secretary, said: “Members have said in a clear, united voice that they want to see a fair settlement. The offer from DESC fell well below our original claim for investment into the profession and doesn’t address the immediate and unprecedented workload demands that has been placed on teachers as a result of the ongoing global pandemic.

“The future of the Isle of Man’s economy lies with the quality of our education system and the level of investment in those who lead schools and teach our children. Education is an investment, not only in our children’s life chances, but in the island’s future.

“We hope to reopen negotiations with the Government and that the DESC can secure additional investment from the Treasury to invest in the Isle of Man’s future.”