Debate on secondary schools gets delayed
THE debate on secondary education found itself falling victim to time constraints for a second time yesterday and its future will now not be discussed until September.
After spending almost three days on the Government Work Plan, it was almost 3.30pm when the Assembly finally found itself in a position where it could pick up the education debate, which it adjourned at 7pm last Friday.
Next up was due to be Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq’s amendment, proposing the development of three 11-18 schools.
But Education, Sport & Culture president Andrea Dudley-Owen said that following a meeting at lunchtime, the conclusion reached was that there was no way the debate was going to conclude by 7pm and with many members due to be unavailable next week the only choice was to defer it until 8 September.
Deputy Adrian Gabriel wondered what implications that would have for implementing the changes, given that time amounting to another school year could be missed.
ESC vice-president Deputy Bob Murray said that while there were implications, the committee was confident it could overcome them.
However, there was a potential issue with the secondary school plans getting out of step with the Guernsey Institute and there would be a substantial financial implication if this went on for too long.
It was hoped that an early meeting in September would resolve this. The proposal to defer debate was approved by a large majority.
