Deputy seeks education answers on behalf of public

Saturday 20 August 2022

Deputy Gavin St Pier has submitted a series of Rule 14 questions, seeking to better understand the structure of the island’s education service and how the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture is implementing the Education Strategy.

“I’ve had a number of members of the public, parents predominantly, but also those working in the education service, primarily just expressing some concerns and questions over the last couple of months, and I’ve really just collated those,” said Deputy Gavin St Pier.

You can see his full list of questions in a social media post below: 

I’ve lodged formal written questions to the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture on a number of issues of concern raised with me by parents and those working in education.

The Committee have 15 days to reply. pic.twitter.com/Dp5F9s1zxz

— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) August 19, 2022

When asked why he was asking about an organogram, Deputy St Pier said it is intended to shed light on the structure of education:

“There’s been a lot of talk about the so-called hollowing out… of the central services. 

“So, I’m seeking to understand; what does that mean? What does that look like now? And what does that translate into?

“There have obviously been quite a lot of changes of the last few years, appointments made and different political committees [stepping in]. How does that pan out in the shape of the essential services?”

Deputy St Pier said the topic of education in the island is inevitably an important one, that generates plenty of public debate and discussion.

“Education is clearly not only the second largest public service within government, and therefore commanding a lot of public money, but of course it is an interest to those in the community because their children and grandchildren are in the system at any given time.

“Thirdly, the [large] amount of discussion about the future of education – especially post-16 education – inevitably means the topic is a matter of ongoing public interest.”

ESC has 15 days to respond to Deputy St Pier’s questions.