11-plus could linger while education is transformed
A LAST-DITCH attempt will be made to retain the 11-plus until ‘fully costed, detailed transition plans’ have been finalised for both education models.
Debate into the island’s future secondary and post-16 education system got under way yesterday.
Just moments before Deputy Matt Fallaize was about to outline the case for the ‘gang of four’s’ alternative, 11-18 model, Bailiff Sir Richard Collas announced that a new amendment had been circulated.
Deputies Peter Ferbrache and Jan Kuttelwascher have called for the 11-plus to be retained as a fail-safe unless and until the transition to a comprehensive system has been finalised.
‘If this [alternative model] amendment is successful there could easily be a delay of two or three years, and if Education’s amendment to equalise school sizes goes through there will be a delay of at least 12 months,’ said Deputy Ferbrache. ‘We will need some kind of stability if either of those amendments are successful.’
The 11-plus system of selection is due to end this year.
While this amendment is yet to be debated, there is reason to believe that it will garner some support from deputies, although some have expressed fears that it is a gateway back to selection.
Full coverage of yesterday in the States in today's Guernsey Press
