Capital costs of education changes soon to be public

Education, Sport & Culture president Matt Fallaize updated States members on his committee’s work yesterday, also revealing that its general spending was currently £330,000 under budget, but warned that difficult decisions will have to made to stay within budget this year.

A policy letter will be submitted to the States this summer with spending proposals for the development of four education sites – the 11-18 colleges at Baubigny and Les Beaucamps; The Guernsey Institute at Les Ozouets, which will integrate providers of further and higher education run or funded by the States; and La Mare de Carteret Primary School, which needs to be rebuilt.

‘The policy letter will set out further details about how the new model of education will operate in practice, its benefits and its costs,’ Deputy Fallaize told the States yesterday.

Previous assurances have been given that there will be a teaching post in the new secondary schools for all teaching staff.

The next stage of the sharing staffing structure will be done before the end of the summer term.

Students are being consulted on a new uniform for the 11-18 colleges while trying to limit financial implications for parents.

‘The committee is [also] progressing the development of The Guernsey Institute, which will integrate the College of Further Education, The Institute for Health and Social Care Studies and the GTA,’ Deputy Fallaize said.

It will be created on 1 June and the committee will soon invite expressions of interest from anyone wishing to serve as a member of the Guernsey Institute’s governing body.

In addition, preparations for the refurbishment of Footes Lane stadium – installing a new eight-lane track, improving access and repairing the buildings – are in the final stages.

Deputy Neil Inder questioned whether the island was equipped to cope with the increase in visitors for the Island Games in 2021.

In response, Deputy Fallaize said there had not been direct conversation between Economic Development and ESC.

‘This is because it is not necessary,’ he said.

‘The organising committee [for the Island Games] has spoken in depth with professionals in the tourism industry about preparations and I have been told there is sufficient bedstock’.