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Education believes it could have satisfied many of Scrutiny's "misunderstandings" about its transformation plans, had the latter committee engaged with them before publishing a letter of comment.
The States will convene today to debate the future of secondary and post-16 education.
Education was dealt a setback last week, after a group of Deputies put their names to delaying motions, while the Scrutiny Management Committee launched a scathing attack of ESC's £157m. transformation plans.
The Education debate will start today, where the Assembly will discuss the proposals, amendments made by P&R and the delaying motions.
Education President Matt Fallaize has hit back, saying that many of Scrutiny's concerns could have been alleviated had they discussed them with Education first.
"It is unfortunate that the Scrutiny Management Committee scrapped its plans to hold a public hearing on the Policy Letter and Programme Business Case, which had been expected to take place in the week commencing the 26 August," said Deputy Fallaize.
"The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture had welcomed this opportunity for the two Committees constructively to explore any questions and concerns of the SMC, which would undoubtedly have assisted the SMC in the production of a well- informed letter of comment. None of the concerns expressed in the letter of comment had been raised with the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture prior to the issuing of the letter.
"If they had been, a number of misunderstandings could have been corrected in advance."
Deputy Fallaize rebutted a number of the SMC's points, saying that: The space requirements of the 11-18 colleges, which have informed the capital funding request, are not based on “raw volume-based building estimates”, as suggested by Scrutiny. Instead, they were established by experienced external advisors as part of extensive and detailed planning which has included engaging with potential contractors.
The two new colleges would be located at St Sampsons and Les Beaucamps.
Engagement has started with local contractors over the 11-18 school extensions in order to ensure maximum visibility of the plans as they develop. No potential contractor has yet raised any concerns about the capacity of industry to deliver the plans. The Bailiwick curriculum will "continue to evolve, as was intended when it was introduced." It will not, as Scrutiny suggested, be replaced by a completely new curriculum.
Deputy Fallaize said many of Scrutiny's concerns were procedural and related to the timing of some of Education's publications, which Deputy Fallaize said was directed by States policy.
"Many of the concerns raised by the SMC could equally be raised about any other capital programme developed by any States’ committee based on the approvals processes for the capital programmes now in place.
"The CfESC makes no comment on the appropriateness of these processes but hopes that on reflection the SMC will acknowledge that the CfESC could not credibly and unilaterally have diverted from these processes. If the CfESC is going to be expected to seekStates’ approvals at each stage of the development of business cases, should the same not be expected of other capital programmes recently approved by the States?
"The CfESC would be only too pleased to discuss with the SMC any ideas which the SMC may have to allow it to play a role in providing oversight and scrutiny of the Transforming Education Programme as it develops."
The NASUWT Teachers' Union expressed concerns on Monday about a lack of time in which to properly survey the views of members because of Education only publishing its policy letter just before the summer holidays. In the circumstances, General Secretary Chris Keates supported a delay until November to make sure teachers' voices could be heard on such a major issue.
The NEU said it too had struggled to get feedback from members. However, it rejected any sursis attempt over concerns it would be used as a gateway to re-introducing selective education.
NEU Media Statement pic.twitter.com/2dYz1qz1rk
— NEUGuernsey (@NEUGuernsey) September 2, 2019
The Guernsey UCU, which represents College of Further education nation staff, warned against any return to the "discredited and impartial" three-school plans brought to the States by the previous Education Committee.
"CFE staff voted 99% against the post-16 option presented in the three-school model, and to see it reappearing on the political agenda is both baffling and disheartening," said a spokesman.
Pictured top: Deputy Matt Fallaize (Credit: Chris George).
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