Schools Didn’t Ban Christmas Carols, Says Minister

Rumours that an Isle of Man school stopped kids singing Christmas carols have been firmly shot down by Education Minister Daphne Caine.

In an enthralling question time in the House of Keys, these concerns were raised in the House of Keys by Onchan MHK Julie Edge, who said she’d been told carols weren’t allowed at an unnamed school.

Mrs Caine called it ‘fearmongering’ and ‘hearsay,’ and confirmed her department had checked with every school, none reported banning the festive sing-alongs.

She told the chamber: ‘Carols are sung. Nativity is celebrated. Christmas concerts are held in various forms at various schools.’

Mrs Caine also urged MHKs to provide the names of any schools where issues allegedly occurred so the department could follow it up, but stressed that how schools run their Christmas events is an operational matter for each individual school.

The Minister added that schools are encouraged to be inclusive and respect all faiths, and noted there is a ‘whole wealth’ of traditional nativity plays and senior school carol concerts across the Island.

So, if you were worried (surely nobody was?), rest easy. The carol singers are safe, and the festive tunes are very much still ringing out.