Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen had given the States an update on the work of her committee over recent months, including culturally. That section included a recap of the visit by the Costa Rican Ambassador who visited the island for the unveiling of a blue plaque commemorating the birth place of William Le Lacheur.

Mr Le Lacheur, who grew up in the Forest, is considered to be a hero in Costa Rica, having helped improve the country's economic fortunes through coffee exportations.

Pictured: ESC President, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen.

Deputy Lester Queripel pointed out that many people locally don't know who William Le Lacheur is or why he is famed around the world and asked Deputy Dudley-Owen if there is any value in teaching our children about cultural icons such as Sir Isaac Brock, Denys Corbet, or Marie Ozanne, or sport stars such as Matt Le Tissier, Heather Watson and Andy Priaulx.

Deputy Dudley-Owen agreed, there is value in teaching young people about the lives and times of other successful islanders, and she assured Deputy Queripel that work is already being done.

"He is right, we need to be letting our young people know about some of the amazing people that came from Guernsey in the past and have made a different not just in Guernsey but elsewhere and William Le Lacheur is one of those," she said.‌

"He'll be pleased to know our children are taught about our ambassadors," she added. 

Pictured: Deputy Lester Queripel was keen to ensure children are taught local history and culture.

"I sometimes wonder if we as adults underplay these people and we don't make enough of them but it is certainly something we are committed to. We’re looking at the education law. We look at elements of what we think need to be taught to our children and certainly culture and history is up there among the committee's priorities.

"We do have a curriculum where local culture and history is articulated.

"I think six thousand children went to visit our museums last year - a substantial amount of our children are visiting our local musuesm and are embracing our historical content but it has to be understood that there is only so much time in the week of school and so many subjects to deliver. But we do think local history is so important and that our younger children are taught more about our history and legacy."

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