ESC’s heavy defeat ‘just a hump in road’ – president
DEFIANT Education president Andrea Dudley-Owen has insisted that her committee’s reforms remain on track despite a string of heavy defeats and threats of a no confidence vote at last week’s States meeting.
Education, Sport & Culture was forced to withdraw proposals for a new Education Law after losing more than 20 votes on numerous amendments, including one which tore apart its flagship plans for school governance boards.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby labelled the debate ‘a car crash for ESC’. Deputy Lyndon Trott said it was an ‘unprecedented mauling’ and warned he ‘would not hesitate’ to lead a vote of no confidence in the committee if it failed to ‘respect the House and listen to the wishes of the Assembly’ when returning with revised proposals.
But Deputy Dudley-Owen described it as ‘a hump in the road’ which her committee would overcome.
‘The Education Law review is part of a suite of work taking place to transform education and realise the aspirations of our ambitious education strategy,’ she said.
‘We will not let this hump in the road, albeit a big one, deter us from moving the education system forward for the benefit of our learners and the wider community.
‘We must continue our hard work of improving and strengthening education in Guernsey and striving towards excellent provision all round.’
Deputy Dudley-Owen claimed there was disappointment outside the States, as well as inside her committee, at deputies’ refusal to back proposals for a new law to replace the existing law which dates back to 1970.
She suggested that some of ESC’s critics were nervous about letting go of the existing law and rebuked deputies who she felt had led amendments without adequate discussion with her committee.
‘After more than 50 years since the law was last updated, it is to be expected that there has been nervousness about seeing what a modern progressive law should look like and how this could apply to Guernsey,’ she said.
‘I am saddened that so many amendments were lodged by members who had no prior discussion with the committee. Many of these types of amendment have price tags attached and would lead to delay, matters that were not acknowledged or were blatantly ignored by those who brought the motions.
‘Nevertheless, it is clear that a significant number of States members are concerned about elements of our proposals, and I of course respect the will of the Assembly.’
Deputy Dudley-Owen said ESC asked the States to allow it to withdraw its proposals because of the risk of voting for ideas in amendments which had blindsided her committee and needed more consideration by its officials.
The committee pledged more consultation on revised proposals but was confident it had time to present them to the States before the end of its term in June 2025.
One of ESC’s reversals last week concerned plans for greater involvement in the three grant-aided colleges. The States backed amendments which set out a more independent role for the colleges.
‘We look forward to the new policy letter incorporating these changes and addressing our other areas of concern,’ said the colleges in a joint statement after the debate.
‘Collectively, the three colleges look forward to working with ESC on the next iteration of this important piece of policy.’
