DEC gave consideration to shorter school week

Tue, 15 May 2012

The Education Minister has confirmed that at one point his department gave consideration to shortening the school week and may do so again in future.

Peter Karran was asked about the matter in Tynwald today by Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer.

Mr Karran said when cost savings were discussed, every area of the budget was looked at and it was concluded that further savings could only have been made by cutting the school week to four and a half days.

He says it could be considered again if future cutbacks are needed.

Mr Singer believes it would be a terrible idea.[play media file below]

However, during the questions MLC Dudley Butt stepped in to say that the matter was mentioned when he was a DEC member, but it was dismissed almost immediately.