To start the Education review off...

NOW that a respected academic has been appointed to carry out what the chief minister has every confidence will be a comprehensive review of education in the island, including identifying strengths and weaknesses and what action might be needed to address current concerns, there is one element missing in the equation: how it will be conducted.

Given that there is some concern about the terms of reference of the inquiry, it would be helpful if Denis Mulkerrin could outline how he intends going about his fact-find, the areas he feels need to be included – and what external input he would like.

As is clear to everyone – except, perhaps, the Education board who were between them receiving around £3,000 a week to keep things on track – this is about far more than exam results.

As well as looking back on Education's industrial relations record, the report on its handling of an unfair dismissal and the last Policy Council review into the department, there are some other areas Mr Mulkerrin might like to probe.

For instance, how many senior Education department staff have departed in the last decade and what were their reasons (rather than those stated by Education)? How many involved negotiated settlements and what was the total cost to the taxpayer? How many gagging orders have been applied as part of those settlements?

Mr Mulkerrin might find it instructive if the Policy Council declares that, gaggings notwithstanding, no legal action will be taken against those past members who come forward and give evidence to the review.

He might also like to ask about the implications of the Guernsey Skills Strategy Development Group's statement that 'the Guernsey College of Further Education has taken a lead role in delivering basic skills education on the island'. That couldn't be code for 'starting to teach all those young adults who were let down by the Education behemoth before leaving school,' could it?

And if he has time, he might also ask the local media for evidence of information manipulation, reporter harassment and difficult questions being blocked and withheld from the political board by Education staff.

If he is to report back by 31 December as planned, Mr Mulkerrin is going to be a very busy man because this is one review that absolutely cannot be skimped.