Vallajeelt parents call for full refund over cancelled school trip

Plea to school, or education department, to foot the bill

There's disappointment from some Manx parents who won't be given a full refund for a cancelled school trip.

Year six students from Scoill Vallajeelt were set to visit Manor Adventure in Wales this summer.

In a letter to parents from the school, shown to Manx radio, the school is seeking advice from the education department on how to refund the money from the planned school trip.

However in the immediate term it appears that £60 will be returned to parents, from a total £375 cost.

A parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, wrote to Manx Radio expressing their 'extreme disappointment' that a full refund couldn't be provided in a 'timely manner' when other schools are receiving full amounts.

This parent suggests the Department of Education, or the school itself, should foot the bill until the money is available from the third parties.

In response, the Isle of Man Government issued a statement to Manx Radio, which says:

"Due to the current and unprecedented situation all school trips have been cancelled and schools are working hard to reclaim funds wherever possible.

"The Department recognises the frustration and financial impact on parents who have paid deposits and is working with schools to find solutions. Unfortunately the amount of cancelled trips means claims will take longer than usual to process.

"As schools know the particulars of each trip they are putting in insurance claims, as would occur for families that may have booked holidays which have now been cancelled.

"The Department does not have a budget to repay cancelled school trips and each school must reclaim whatever is possible through their insurance. Government is seeking to support families and businesses through a number of schemes, details of which can be found at https://covid19.gov.im/."