Together with other departments of Government, the Department of Education is constituted under the Government Departments Act 1987. Its main responsibilities and duties are as set out in the Isle of Man Education Act 2001.

Other regulations relating to the Department's areas of authority include -

• The Instrument of Government and Articles of Government for Isle of Man Secondary Schools
• The Instrument of Government and Articles of Government for Isle of Man Primary Schools
• The Civil Service Regulations
• The Isle of Man Government Financial Regulations
• The Isle of Man Government Annual Policy Document
• The Isle of Man Budget
• The Isle of Man Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information
• Health and Safety Regulations

The Department of Education is not a Local Education Authority but carries out the same functions, in addition to those of a Government department. In this way, it has the roles of both central and local government in England. The Department is, however, accountable solely to Treasury and is independent of England's statutory system of education.

Education in the Isle of Man is entirely funded by the Isle of Man Government, but there are strong links with the United Kingdom in such areas as:

• the curriculum (although the Isle of Man Curriculum has a number of significant variations);
• public examinations;
• the use of external inspectors; and
• the training and conditions of service of teachers.

Children's experience of education is therefore similar to that in England but deliberate policy decisions taken by the Department mean that:

• pupil : teacher ratios are better;
• here is a higher level of integration of pupils with special educational needs;
• the 5 comprehensive secondary schools have a true and balanced social mix;
• the Island's culture and heritage are valued; and
• the sense of community is strong.