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Preschool should be extended not cut, says ATL

Sat, 18 Feb 2012

The Isle of Man branch of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers wants to see preschool education extended not cut.

The ATL says the cuts announced by the Department of Education and Children are a real blow that will disproportionately hit women and could lead to an increase in social care costs in the future.

The Union says the Government should reverse this decision if it has any social conscience, and that there should be more nursery and preschool places available to help parents get back to work.

As well as preschool, the DEC is to close Bride Infants' School, shut the family library on Westmoreland Road and end the Primary Modern Language provision.

The ATL believes cutting back on foreign languages could hamper the Island's ambitions to be seen as a leading international business centre.

Almost 2000 people have signed a petition calling for the changes to be stopped.

The DEC says it's continuing to look for savings as a result of ongoing fiscal challenges, and has made almost £10m worth of savings over the last two years.

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