How a decision on school closures is made

Strategic Co-ordinating group apologies for 'short delay' in Monday's announcement

Monday (5 January) was a snow day - in that pupils were kept off school, flights ground to a halt at Ronaldsway, and the Mountain Road was closed.

It meant many parents across the Isle of Man would have spent the first hours of the day anxiously scrolling social media, refreshing tabs, and (of course) tuning into Manx Radio to find out whether their children would be returning to the classroom.

And yesterday's announcement, due at 7am, came with a slight delay. 

It might have been by only 20 minutes or so, but it was enough time for the Nation's Station to be hit with a myriad of messages from listeners. Had we missed the update? Are the schools opening as normal? What's going on?!

Not before long government put out the message that many had been waiting for; schools would be staying closed...in the morning, at least.

With one foot in a sled and another in their school trousers, pupils were told not to get too excited, as an update would be given later in the morning as to whether they will reopen in the afternoon.

That time came and went, and the decision was taken to keep schools closed for the remainder of the day.

It's a big decision - so, how is it made? We asked the Isle of Man Government.

A spokesperson told us: 'When an amber weather warning is issued, the Isle of Man Government activates a Strategic Co-ordinating Group under agreed emergency planning policy. Members include senior representatives from DESC, DHA, Police, Bus Vannin, DHSC, DOI, Manx Care, MUA, Met Office and other relevant agencies.

'The group considers all available information and assesses the threat and risk to the public.

'Where school closures are determined to be the safest option, a recommendation will be to the Minister for Education Sport and Culture.

'A recommendation to close schools is not taken lightly, given the significant economic and other impacts to the Island.

'In this case, due to significant ice on roads, footpaths and within school boundaries, a decision was taken to delay opening schools in the interests of public safety.  In addition, the bus network had already been suspended due to the conditions of many roads.'

So, what of that delay to the announcement being given yesterday morning?

The government spokesperson told us: 'Unfortunately, the hoped for improvement in the conditions did not materialise and the decision was ultimately made to close schools for the day.

'The Strategic Co-ordinating group apologies for the short delay in issuing the promised update at 7am yesterday and any inconvenience caused.  This was due to an extended meeting and a need to finalise details of the Government response.'

What about today? Are schools open?