GOVERNMENT must stop proposing cuts in "inappropriate areas of public spending".
That's the view of the Isle of Man branch of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).
It follows the news that the Department of Education and Children is planning to axe a range of services including the closure of 11 government run pre-school education facilities.
The department is also planning to close Bride School, the family library and mobile library service and discontinue the primary modern language service.
Andrew Shipley, the secretary of the Island's ATL branch, said the news was a "real blow" to all involved in education.
He said: "The Department of Education and Children is in an impossible position.
"Statutory provision must be maintained and for cuts to be made the axe has to fall on non-statutory areas which include the library services, pre-school provision and the primary modern languages.
"It is now up to politicians to show some leadership and resolve to say no and reverse these decisions."
The ATL said it recognises that cuts have to be made but that there are other areas which would have "less of a social impact".
He continued: "Staff are devastated by the decisions that have been made and the ATL echoes the Isle of Man TUC's call that 'if government has any social conscience at all it will stop proposing cuts in inappropriate areas of public spending'."
Mr Shipley said instead of cutting pre-school services government should be extending them to enable the economically active population to "get on with the jobs that bring income to the Island".
He continued: "While politicians may see the difficulties we face now, the longer term implications of their decisions need to be considered.
"What will the effect be when these children affected by the closure of nurseries get to secondary school?
"How will reducing the staffing at 'health education' affect the physical and sexual health of our young people and what cost will there then be to health and social care budgets?
"Can we truly say that we aspire to be a global player when we cut back on provision for modern foreign languages?
"What does the decision about the libraries say about us as a civilised country and the high regard we should have for the written word?"
The ATL has called on government to find the money, delay the changes and look at the issues carefully and thoroughly in order to make "appropriate provisions" so that if changes are brought in they can be properly managed without the "uncertainty and angst that is faced at present".
Also see: Prospect hits back at library closures
Education cuts are regrettable but essential says Minister
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