Chance for change tied up in red tape
THE imminent departure of the principal of the Guernsey College for Further Education is an indictment of the island's ability to embrace change. In the short time she has been working in the island it has become clear that Saboohi Famili is a visionary leader capable of effecting a genuine and much-needed transformation in tertiary education. That she should leave after just two years, frustrated at the bureaucracy and inertia that became insurmountable barriers to what needed to be done, is a heavy blow to those who wish to see education develop and prosper.
A replacement will no doubt be found, but it will be hard to match the outgoing principal's energy, ideas and persuasive passion for change, especially once potential applicants learn of the reason for her leaving.
Thankfully, it seems that the legal red tape that was strangling Ms Famili's ambitions to take full control of the college in the accountable manner envisaged by both the executive board and its staff, is starting to fall away. Sadly, it has come too late to retain the chief executive's services so that she could see the job through to the next stage.
Part of that frustration must stem from the uncertainty hanging over every element of education in the island. The future of tertiary education and all further education premises is inextricably linked to the ongoing debate over how many secondary schools the island needs and whether the Grammar should be converted into a tertiary college.
None of that can be settled until Education reports back on its plans for selection and the future of the Footes Lane schools.
In the meantime, no doubt other fine teachers and senior managers are considering leaving rather than stay in a system that is short on clear direction and heavy on red tape.
Replacing them with the best new staff from inside and outside the island will be difficult. Why bind yourself to an island contract when there is no clear route ahead?
Education has never been more in need of the type of vision, understanding and leadership that it is about to lose.
