Education seeks to bring secondary clarity with its amendment
EDUCATION has been forced to lay an amendment to its secondary education report to simplify and bring clarity to the debate on selection.
Its original proposal faced a backlash of criticism, including from Policy & Resources, which warned it could create more delay and uncertainty.
It was particularly concerned that Education, Sport & Culture said it would need until September 2021 to create a non-selective system and that views over the future of the school estate were outlined within the policy letter.
On top of the political criticism, Education was also given legal advice over the complex format of the original proposals, which would give the Assembly two options to vote on individually, meaning they could both end up in a tie, be supported or rejected and see the debate end in disarray.
Under the terms of the amendment, the States will be asked simply whether or not it wishes to overturn the previously approved plans, which will see the 11-plus axed and replaced by a non-selective system from September 2019.
Policy & Resources member Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said it would help focus attention.
