ESC could still resign

Thursday 05 March 2020

Days after they lost the landmark vote on the future of their Lisia School model, Guernsey's Education, Sport and Culture Committee are still considering their positions and might resign.

No decisions have been made yet on what might happen, now a requête calling for a 'pause and review' of the transformation of secondary education has been passed.

ESC held a committee meeting on Wednesday, the day after the requête was passed, to consider their options going forward.

After that meeting, ESC President, Deputy Matt Fallaize, said there is a lot to work through and final decisions on some matters will be made by the end of this week.

Pictured: Deputy Matt Fallaize. 

That could see a new ESC committee being formed, with some of the requerants taking the helm, but Deputy Fallaize might stay in his post and continue to work on the transformation of secondary education which is already two years into a five year process.

Deputy Fallaize said: 

"The States direction is that the development of the two 11-18 colleges should be paused and a report prepared comparing this model with various other secondary education models which have been considered over the years.

Pictured: Lead requêrant, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen.

"The Committee will take a few days to consider its next steps. Obviously we are considering our positions and whether the review of various education models is best undertaken by our Committee, a completely new Committee or a blend of supporters and opponents of the model which has been paused. We will come to a final decision by the end of the weekend.

"I am conscious of the need to understand how Deputy Dudley Owen sees the next steps to carry out the work directed by the States. I have been in touch with her and hope we will have a full discussion imminently."

Pictured: The current Education, Sport and Culture Committee.