School leaders asked to consider industrial action

School leaders on the Isle of Man are being asked if they want to consider taking industrial action due to the alleged "further misuse of disciplinary proceedings" by the education department.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has held an emergency meeting to initiate a formal ballot for its members on the island.

A formal dispute with the education department was raised by the union last month, citing a "toxic" culture and alleging an abuse of policies.

The Department of Education, Sport & Culture (Desc) said it "completely refutes these claims" as they "do not reflect the standards or values we uphold".

The NAHT has opened an electronic ballot which asks members whether they would support a ballot for industrial action.

The union said it was determined to "protect its members from further misuse of disciplinary proceedings by the island's education department".

It claimed there had been a "disregard of agreed policies and procedures, and the victimisation of [union] officials".

The formal complaint was raised by NAHT assistant general secretary Rob Kelsall, who wrote to the island's interim chief executive Mark Lewin.

Mr Lewin is ultimately in charge of the education department's operations, overseen by education minister Daphne Caine.

Mr Kelsall said the ballot was "unavoidable" due to "months of inaction, repeated policy breaches, and a failure to uphold basic employment rights".

He added: "The integrity of our profession and the dignity of our members is on the line.

"We will not stand by and see school leaders being treated with contempt and their union representatives subjected to a witch-hunt and victimised."

The NAHT alleged there had been breaches of the Fairness at Work Policy and the Code of Conduct for Public Servants.

It claimed the education department had been misusing disciplinary procedures by imposing "punitive sanctions" rather than supporting professional development.

The union said concerns went "far beyond the experiences of any one or two individuals" and included "multiple breaches of employment policies and professional standards".

It said: "We remain committed to finding a constructive resolution and believe these steps are necessary to rebuild trust and ensure fairness for all."

A Desc spokesman said the department remained "committed to working constructively with all recognised teaching unions and professional associations".

The ballot will close on 18 June.

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