Education officials in the Isle of Man are looking forward to improving relations with parents who opt to teach their children at home.

From the beginning of September, anyone who keeps their youngsters away from school, or educates them privately on or off the Island, will have to officially register their decision.

It comes as the United Kingdom pushes for home educators to be registered to ensure children's well-being.

The Department of Education's head of legal and administrative services, John Gill, says until now it's been impossible to say how many children are being home-taught.

He believes having access to that information will be mutually beneficial: