PRESSURE is mounting on the Policy Council to let people know what is happening with the Education review. A requete is in place for debate next month as politicians have become increasingly disillusioned with the lack of progress.
Chief Minister Mike Torode told the States last week that the council was exploring a third option of a two-person team to carry out the review, of which it took charge about a year ago.
Requete leader Deputy Jean Pritchard has heard nothing since and is set to write to Deputy Torode to help clear up the affair. ‘There’s a lot we don’t know. I’m getting a bit nervous as to what’s going on - that’s why the requete has to stay in because the minute we put it on hold, nothing will happen,’ she said.
Deputy Pritchard had a spat with Deputy Torode in the States after he accused her of blocking one of the options - an academic from the UK.
She refuted that, but was concerned about the direction in which the man wanted to take the review.
Others are also concerned about what is happening with the review, which has been placed on the Policy Council agenda for Monday.
Deputy Brian De Jersey was the author of a letter to Education in July 2006 raising concerns about the scope of the review it wanted.
‘I’m very frustrated because I don’t know what’s going on,’ said Deputy De Jersey.
He was still waiting for a reply to his letter, something he had been promised several times by Education minister Martin Ozanne.
‘I’m very concerned for the professional teachers in Guernsey who are expecting this inquiry to happen,’ said Deputy De Jersey.
‘I’ve been told by many people that we have a good education system, so why have an inquiry? My answer to that is that we have validations of the schools all the time.’
But the management was not validated in the same way, he added.
‘I’ve heard various, rumours - hearsay - but it’s time it was aired,’ said Deputy De Jersey.
‘I’ve got evidence of things that have happened, but I’m keeping my powder dry until the times comes.’
Last week, Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland said he was concerned with the wording of the requete, which refers to a judgement given by Lt-Bailiff Richard Southwell when denying Jane Stevens a judicial review into her sacking as head teacher at Le Rondin special-needs school.
Mr Southwell begins a section calling for a management review of Education with: ‘If Mrs Stephens’ account of this meeting, less then three weeks after she started as the new head teacher of a new school, is correct… these observations need to be made.’
Deputy Pritchard said: ‘For me, how do you work out if they are true or not unless you independently assess it?’
Deputy Ozanne met the man brought over to assess the review of his department.
‘I believe the person who came over was very experienced and capable. I met him and I hope someone of that calibre is engaged and carries out the review as soon as possible,’ said Deputy Ozanne.
‘I’ve purposely stayed to one side of all this. It’s my department that would be under review, so I haven’t played a part in the appointments or consideration of it - I think it’s only appropriate I wouldn’t.’
Deputy Pritchard was not concerned that the minister had met someone set to review his department.
Article posted on 3rd August, 2007 - 12.00am
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