"We offered a lifebelt to a drowning man"

Friday 28 February 2020

Policy & Resources' offer to help Education out of the "debris" of their one-school plans was dismissed by a resolute ESC and their colleagues in the States today.

P&R wanted Education to draw up a three-school comparison to its proposed one-school model, which it believed would allay the concerns that public and professional opinions are being ignored, and do so without sabotaging Education's transition plans.

However Education President Matt Fallaize rocked the boat, saying the amendment's purpose was "unclear" and that he had no idea what it actually meant for his committee.

P&R's alternative of one 11-18 and two 11-16 schools was met with disbelief and incredulity by Education, with Deputy Fallaize saying it would replace selection by aptitude with selection by postcode. 

Deputy St Pier highlighted the unrest that Education's plans had caused, telling Deputy Fallaize his amendment was an offer of support at a time when others were trying to postpone or overhaul the committee's vision. 

"It is so much easier to stand on the beach and throw rocks at a drowning person, than to try and help by crafting a lifebelt from the debris around," he said. "We would rather try and fail, than not try at all – even if we fail because the person drowning refuses the help offered."

You can’t big yourself up for building a life raft if you helped to knock holes in the boat. ????????‍♀️ #schoolsdebate

— Emilie (@emiliemcswiggan) February 28, 2020

Pictured: Deputy McSwiggan was just one of the Deputies who were unimpressed by P&R's amendment.

In a heated exchange between Deputy Fallaize and P&R Vice-President Lyndon Trott, the St Sampson's Deputy declared that Education's plans have received "no material support from the professionals".

It was P&R, however, who came out on the wrong side of the debate, with Deputy Peter Ferbrache accusing Deputy St Pier of poor leadership and an amendment that amounted to a "fudge".

The amendment was defeated by 24 votes to 11.

Another last-ditch amendment, which proposed three 11-18 colleges, was also soundly rejected by 25 votes to 11. 

The amendment by Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq and Al Brouard met the same fate as the three 11-16 school amendment a day earlier, as States members resisted the temptation to devise a new education system on the hoof.  

When a Great Leap Forward is too much for some and the option left is a step back I’m not ashamed to suggest a step forward

— Jonathan Le Tocq ???????? (@letocq) February 28, 2020

Although many Deputies were attracted to the federated schools model, those including Deputy Carl Meerveld said it was one option that could come into consideration if the 'pause and review' requete is approved. 

Debate on the requete and the other remaining amendments to it will continue on Monday, starting at 09:30. 

Pictured top: An artist's impression...