Education event postponed due to transport issues

The Department for Enterprise said the event would be rescheduled

A science, technology, engineering and maths event aimed at Manx primary school children has been postponed due to issues with transport amid bus driver shortages.

The fourth annual STEMFest, which seems all the island's primary children take part, had been due to be held at the Villa Marina on 23 and 24 October.

But, the Department for Enterprise (DfE) said the decision to push the event back was taken due to "significant logistical challenges", which meant that not all schools would be able to attend.

It comes amid ongoing disruption to the island's public bus services due to a lack of qualified bus drivers, which has also seen temporary reductions in Sunday services.

'Regrettable'

The annual event was designed to spark interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among the island's children and allow them to explore potential careers within the fields.

The interactive event was set to have more than 30 local organisations participate with exhibits about their sectors.

But a statement from the DfE said that due to existing requirements around scheduled school bus services, and "limited resource" through private providers, it was "felt appropriate to postpone the event rather than proceed and exclude some schools".

While the decision was "regrettable", the department was "committed to rescheduling the event to a time that allows for full attendance and participation", it added.