School leaders urge candidates to put children, staff and the future of the Island at the heart of the General Election

NAHT is calling on every candidate standing in the 2026 House of Keys General Election to sign its education manifesto pledge and commit to making schools a priority for the next administration.

With polling day set for Thursday 24 September 2026, NAHT is urging candidates across all 12 constituencies to back a clear plan for education that supports children, values school staff, funds schools fairly, and rebuilds trust with the profession.

The union has already received pledges from ten candidates, and thanks them for publicly recognising the importance of education to the Island’s future.

NAHT is now calling on every remaining candidate to do the same.

The manifesto ‘Our schools. Their future. Your choice’ sets out four priorities for the next House of Keys:

• ensuring every child is ready to learn and properly supported
• tackling workload and valuing the education workforce
• delivering fair funding and future-ready schools
• building trust, accountability and genuine partnership with school leaders

The call comes as constituency pre-election meetings are due to take place across the Island in September. NAHT is encouraging members, parents and communities to attend these public meetings and ask candidates whether they will sign the education pledge.

Robert Kelsall, Assistant General Secretary for school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Education cannot be an afterthought in this election. Every child on the Isle of Man deserves a school system that is properly funded, ambitious for their future and supported by a valued, trusted workforce.

“School leaders are doing everything they can for children and communities, but they cannot do it alone. The next House of Keys must face up to the pressures in schools, from child poverty and additional learning needs to staff workload, recruitment and buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.

“We welcome and thank the five candidates who have already signed NAHT pledge. Now we are asking every candidate, in every constituency, to show voters that they are serious about education. Sign the pledge, listen to school leaders and make our schools a priority because our schools are the future of the Island.”

NAHT says its pledge is not about party politics or endorsing individual candidates, but about securing a clear commitment to children, families, staff and communities.

The pledge asks candidates, if elected, to work constructively with school leaders and the wider education profession to advance four core priorities: meeting the needs of every child; workload, well-being and a valued workforce; fair funding and fit-for-purpose schools; and trust, accountability and partnership.

NAHT is encouraging:

• candidates to sign the manifesto pledge
• members to attend constituency pre-election meetings
• voters to ask candidates what they will do for education
• the next House of Keys to work directly with school leaders after the election

Notes to editors

NAHT is the professional association and trade union representing school leaders across the Isle of Man.

The 2026 House of Keys General Election is due to take place on Thursday 24 September 2026. Official Isle of Man election information is available from the House of Keys General Election 2026

NAHT Isle of Man’s education manifesto is built around four priorities:

1.    Education for the future: every child ready to learn and every child supported

2.    Workload, well-being and a valued education workforce: great schools need great staff

3.    Fair funding and future-ready schools: investing in schools is investing in the Island

4.    Trust, accountability and partnership: strong schools need effective leadership

NAHT is not endorsing any candidate or party in the election.