New school uniform will cost parents and States £200k

Tuesday 16th August 2011, 1:00PM BST.

Deputy Carol Steere KITTING out all Bailiwick high school pupils with new, more formal, uniform will cost parents and taxpayers more than £200,000.

Education confirmed that the changes will affect approximately 2,000 students and supplier Podger’s put the cost of a complete uniform at about £109.

Minister Carol Steere (pictured) said uniform prices and designs were currently being sourced by individual high schools.

‘The indication we’ve had from suppliers is that it’s not going to be any more expensive than the cost of current uniforms,’ she said. ‘They are suggesting it could even work out cheaper.’

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View more: Carol Steere news.

1
Mark

August 16, 2011 at 5:33 pm

“Uniforms and designs are currently being sourced by individual high schools”. Whilst I applaud the freedom Education are giving to individual schools, for purposes of making the cost as cheap as possible it is potentially ridiculous. Where is the bulk buying power? Where is the bulk negotiating power? Please can Education confirm that schools will order in bulk, and work together in order to keep costs as low as possible to each and every parent in Guernsey. I am not a parent myself, am I the only one thinking the same?

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2
Sean McManus

August 17, 2011 at 8:51 am

Interestingly, this story seems to be based upon a press release put out in mid-August; i.e. the middle of the school holidays and of the media “silly season”.

Deputy Steere’s comments re. consultation suggest a process which can, at best, be described as thin and unconvincing. Oh, and where was the long-awaited publication of the unambiguous educational research evidence which led the Education board to leaunch their secretive consultation exercise?

Verdict : Uniform decision, shabby decision-making, questionable governance.

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3
kat

August 17, 2011 at 9:33 am

If the uniforms were faded in, as only those who start the school as a new intake it would not matter.
As after 4 years the whole school would look the same and folks would know who was in their first year to start ..
This way it would not cost parents who have already brought school cloths extra money.
Once they get into the 5 year they choose what to wear ,so this alone will cost extra again for just one year!
Perhaps fading this out might save parents money so they can wear what ever they have if it is suitable .

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4
Parent

August 17, 2011 at 10:24 am

What people don’t seem to realise is that the costings for this so called report have been compiled by one of the more expensive uniform providers on the island.

We are still a year away from when our pupils start wearing the new uniform and McManus is getting his knickers in twist about nothing.
He is obiviously narked at not being in on the decision making process.
His parting comment about ‘Questionable Goverment’ makes me laugh.
Being in his position, he should know better than to start making jibes at states decisions on an internet forum. I voted for the 1st time ever at the last election and the going on’s over the last 3 years have convinced me it’s just not worth the hassle. Apathy abounds!

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5
Wil

August 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm

By stating that it is taxpayers as well as parents who will foot the bill for the new uniform implies that the uniforms will be subsidised by the states in some way. As all children should be treated equally and fairly then I hope they take into account that Grammar and special place holders at the college should also have access to this.

I agree with Mark that the schools should work together and use their combined power to negotiate the best price.

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