This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

EDUCATION’S united front on staving off student loans could be short-lived.

While all members agree that the grant system can continue for now because the financial situation has changed, a split remains between three deputies who are fundamentally opposed to the scheme and the minister and deputy minister who believe it will still be needed if a £7m. budget cap is exceeded.

This opposition is highlighted in the department’s letter of comment on the requete, which is bringing the issue back to the States at the end of the month.

Signed by minister Carol Steere (pictured), it says ‘the board will be suggesting to the Treasury and Resources Department that the Higher and Advanced Education Budget remains ringfenced and that, for 2009 and subsequent years, the budget is subject to a maximum cash limit of £7m. maintained in real terms.’

Board member Matt Fallaize is leading the requete and says that he and fellow signatories and board members David De Lisle and Mike Collins do not agree with the cap.

It leads to questions as to why the comment about the cap made it into the letter, given it did not have majority backing.

‘To get to 2011, the way the finances have been presented to the board, we still need to have support from Treasury to give us extra money to take us up to that point,’ said Deputy Steere.

‘We had to have that one assurance from T&R that money would be forthcoming, otherwise it would not be affordable for us to put off the introduction of student loans.

‘The big issue is going to be around 2010 and 2011 when we’re reporting back to the States. I can’t say what the board will be putting forward at that time because the situation may have changed.’

Deputy Fallaize said the requete gave the States a chance early in its life to send the department a clear message about how to fund higher education.

But he said categorically that the majority of the Education board did not support the cap.

‘I think what has happened is that our letter of comment was framed in terms of we now know we have enough money as long as Treasury is prepared not to reduce the £7m. budget. But the way it’s possible to read it is that it implies the majority of the board wants the budget capped at £7m.’

He said the letter had been circulated to board members for comment and it could then be misinterpreted.

‘I think it has been, but I’m sure Deputy Collins, De Lisle and myself will take the opportunity to correct that misinterpretation in the debate.’

Article posted on 6th September, 2008 - 9.30am