A CALL has been made for education chiefs to consider introducing a fee for pupils who need one-to-one help with their English.
In the House of Keys, Douglas East MHK Brenda Cannell said the ‘biggest problem’ the DEC faced was teaching English to children where it is not their first language.
And she called on Mr Crookall to consider introducing a contribution to parents of children requiring one-to-one help with English: ‘That requires a lot of additional education on a one-to-one basis, to bring that young person up to a standard where they can be included in the general class.
‘Perhaps what he ought to be looking at is a contribution from these parents to the teaching of their children of English as a consequence of it not being their first language.’
Mr Crookall replied: ‘I would agree with what the supplementary questioner has just asked with regard to EAL (English as an additional language) or those who do not have English as their first language.
‘As regards the contribution, that is a completely different matter altogether, and I am happy to talk to the member about it in another place.’
Former Education Minister and Onchan MHK Peter Karran (LibVan) said: ‘It is most important that we have an inclusive society not an exclusive society.
‘Would he (Mr Crookall) not agree that it is no good using the excuses of people coming to the island from other places, if we have not got a good health service or education service?
‘It is about funding and organisation.
‘Would he not agree that actually it is a priority that we make sure that these children…if we bring them into this island, these children need to understand English as a first language? Allowing for the fact of my promotion of the Manx language for decades, the fact is that is most important.’
In response to a question from Middle MHK Howard Quayle, Mr Crookall told the court that the Education Act 2001 placed a duty on the department to promote the education of persons, and in particular persons under the age of 18 years, resident in the island and for that purpose to provide efficient and comprehensive educational services in the island.
Before a child from a European Union or non-EU country is registered at school, checks are carried out to confirm their status by requirement to produce evidence of their residential status.