Education must stay on track
THERE are three unspoken messages that need to be countered following changes to the public sector leadership of Education, Sport and Culture. The first is that the move might herald a change of direction for the committee's two most contentious policies: all-ability schools and free pre-school education. While the departing chief secretary may have clashed with some members of his board on both subjects his departure does not change anything.
Policy is set by the politicians; the civil servants provide advice. The deputies are honour bound to follow the direction set by the States and the departure of one man does not give them any room to go off-message.
The second false assumption that might be made is that this is a victory for board power.
It has been made clear that Education did not see eye to eye with some of its senior officers and a bid to get the chief secretary moved on has been anticipated. To then see him leave would seem to indicate that the board flexed its muscles and got its way.
However, while it is understood that such a move was attempted, it failed. The grounds for moving on the chief secretary were not established and were rejected. The change in senior staff might enable the board to breathe a sigh of relief but they should not crow too long or loud.
The final subliminal message that the States must put to bed is that the lack of an immediate replacement chief secretary somehow indicates that Education is not a priority.
In just over two months Education has to present its part of the Policy & Resource plan. Its president has said that if plans for the end of the 11-plus and the transformation of secondary schools are not sorted by June/July 'you won't be seeing me for dust'.
So the pressure is very much still on Education to deliver – and the clock is ticking.
While the chief operating officer is prepared to help out in the short term, the appointment of a permanent new chief secretary for Education must be completed quickly to ensure this important department gets all the respect, resources and support it needs at a vital time.
