School leaders’ union NAHT says concerns raised by its members have often been ‘overlooked or ignored’ following the latest Tynwald whistleblowing inquiry evidence session. 

The Tynwald Select Committee on Whistleblowing Policy Implementation yesterday heard evidence from senior public servants, including Graham Kinrade, the Chief Officer of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC).  

NAHT, which has submitted evidence to the inquiry, was last year embroiled in an industrial dispute with DESC amid what it described as the ‘misuse of disciplinary proceedings, disregard of agreed policies, and victimisation of union members and officials’. 

Although members voted in favour of taking industrial action ahead of the start of the autumn term, this was averted after agreement was reached to ‘secure progress across a number of key areas and establish a framework for continued dialogue on wider issues of importance to school leaders’. 

Rob Kelsall, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, 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. 

“Our priority is to ensure that staff across the education workforce at every level can raise concerns without fear and with full trust in the systems designed to protect them. 

“We have submitted detailed correspondence to the Isle of Man Government outlining where we believe further examination is necessary to ensure that future procedures are consistent, fair and transparent.” 

NAHT has previously raised concerns with the Isle of Man Government about the processes used in an earlier preliminary inquiry related to DESC, and says it continues to seek clarity, learning and improvement. 

It has proposed: 

• an independent review of previous processes, 

• steps to enhance transparency, 

• improvements to the structure of seniorofficer case handling, 
  all aimed at strengthening confidence and safeguarding the wellbeing of education professionals. 

Mr Kelsall added: “The Select Committee’s work is important for strengthening confidence in whistleblowing and reporting mechanisms across Government. It is in everyone’s interest, including school leaders, staff and the wider public, that these systems are transparent, robust and trusted. 

“NAHT remains committed to working constructively with Government to ensure that all staff feel able to speak up safely, and that the systems designed to support them work as intended.” 

NAHT represents school leaders across the Isle of Man and has a longstanding interest in ensuring that staff across the education system feel safe, supported, and able to raise concerns through fair and trusted processes.