Education committee backs all-ability schools
EDUCATION president Paul Le Pelley faces an increasingly untenable position, after he revealed his committee would be progressing plans for an all-ability secondary education system – at odds with his own views.
Deputy Le Pelley faced a barrage of questions after the revelations in the States yesterday, where he said he remained committed to some form of selection at 11, despite the change of direction at the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.
He said the committee 'by majority' was in favour of pursuing an all-ability system, with just three schools, in line with the States' decision last term.
However, he would continue to fight for selection to be retained, in an alternative form to 11-plus, and a minority report or requete motion were options to push this through. Further fire faced Deputy Le Pelley, in the chamber, when he also revealed Education, Sport & Culture's plans to U-turn on the agreed free pre-school provision and draw-up proposals to allow providers to charge extra through 'top-up fees'.
The committee conflict over secondary education, however, has put severe pressure on Deputy Le Pelley's position and leadership.
Deputy Matt Fallaize said he did not think such a division, on such an important issue, could continue.
