‘Two-school model is a fine example of bad governance’
EDUCATION’S two-school model is a fine example of bad governance, the leader of a requete against the proposals has said.
During an exchange on Twitter, Andrea Dudley-Owen answered critics of the requete, who echoed Education, Sport & Culture’s own challenge to it by saying that it did not give an alternative to ESC’s plans.
But the plans themselves were ill-conceived in the first place, she said: ‘Made with the barest of detail, this is a fine example of bad governance.
‘Bad decision-making done in haste and based on lack of information. It’ll always fail test of challenge.’
In the light of that, she argued that it would be irresponsible to presume a new model in this way, ‘on the hoof, w/o any costings or implementation plans.’
This was the approach that Deputy Fallaize and three other deputies had used. ‘It’s what has got us into this predicament,’ said Deputy Dudley-Owen.
It would be a bad approach to replicate and the requerants could not condone.
Deputy Dudley-Owen was among more than 2,000 islanders who took to the streets on Sunday in a protest march against the two-school model, although none of the members of Education, Sport & Culture attended.
‘People came out into the cold and wet, they gave up their Sunday afternoon to show their feelings about the plans for the future of our education system and I wouldn’t have stayed away,’ she said.
‘We are supporting the community to ensure that a best outcome is achieved.
‘The turnout was amazing.
‘It is a testament to the strength of opposition to the plans.’
She was struck by the age range of those taking part. ‘This matter goes to the right to the heart of our community and shows how important it is to Guernsey.’
Deputy Dudley-Owen said the speeches in Market Square were well-considered and all of those who spoke made good points.
But she singled out one speaker in particular.
‘The day was won for me by the young girl Angel [Les Beaucamps High School student 12-year-old Angel Perkins].
‘We need constantly to be reminded that it is people like Angel who are at the heart of this debate and their futures that we have to focus on,’ said Deputy Dudley-Owen.
A green ribbon campaign created by Dave Gorvel to show that people objected to ESC’s plans saw Deputy Carl Meerveld ordering 3.7 miles (6,000 metres) of biodegradable ribbon to give away during the march.
By the end, he said he had only 1,800 metres left and has now ordered another 6,000m.
