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A decision to phase out French lessons for Year 3 and 4 pupils in the Isle of Man is in part down to economic factors, according to the chief executive of the Department of Education and Children.
From September 2011, the modern languages service will have seven staff focused on delivering French to Years 4, 5 and 6.
From 2012 lessons will be exclusively for Years 5 and 6.
The department says five staff will be affected by the reorganisation.
CEO Stuart Dobson says efforts will now concentrate on improving the transition in learning from primary to secondary schools:
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