Government run pre-schools in the Island are to be privatised from September.

That was all but confirmed last night (Tues) after Tynwald rejected alternative proposals brought forward by Speaker of the House of Keys, Steve Rodan, and other colleagues opposed to the move.

It means private operators will take over facilities at 12 Island schools in the autumn.

However, it wasn’t clear cut with members of the House of Keys and Legislative Council divided over the issue and two members of the Department of Education failing to vote at all.

After the vote, Education Minister Peter Karran said it was time to move on.

Amy Burns, who led the protest over privatisation, described the decision as ‘seriously flawed’ and believes politicians will live to regret it.