MORE than half the island’s deputies – including three ministers and two former head teachers – have called for a review of the management of the Education Department. Deputy Brian de Jersey claimed that a full review, broader in scope than proposed by Education, was in the public’s best interests.

‘We want a full review of the management and not just an investigation into the dismissal of former Le Rondin head teacher Jane Stephens, as Education is suggesting,’ he said.

Deputy de Jersey claimed that course of action went against the calls for an external assessment of the system by Lt-Bailiff Richard Southwell, QC.

Now, 25 deputies have signed his letter to Education minister Martin Ozanne asking for it to be done.

Deputy de Jersey presented the petition in person to the minister yesterday morning. He spent the afternoon delivering copies to House Committee chairman Dan Le Cheminant and States chief executive Mike Brown.

‘We are very concerned that rather than complying with the recommendations, Education has opted for a watered-down inquiry.

‘The proposed terms of reference would quite simply not meet the strong concerns that rest over the management.’

Before receiving Deputy de Jersey’s letter, Deputy Ozanne said that his department would consider pressure for a more thorough review, first raised by Deputy Jean Pritchard.

But he defended the department’s approach. He said that it had correctly kept the terms of its planned independent review specific to Le Rondin, because that was the issue highlighted by Mr Southwell in his judgement.