No perfect solution for education

Even the most ardent supporters of the two-school model can’t ignore the groundswell of opposition that has been growing in recent months. The question is how best to respond to it?

Those behind the ‘pause and review’ requete want the States to call a halt to the current plans, investigate other options and allow the next Assembly to choose their own way forward. With passions running so high right now, it might be tempting to kick the can a little further down the road, and the idea of comparing the options in more detail has some merit. However, the inevitable delays will be costly (up to £11.3m., according to ESC) and there is no guarantee that a consensus will ever be reached.

Education have submitted their own amendment to the requete in an attempt to address some of the concerns without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. They want the Assembly to instead look at creating extra space at the chosen sites. Their critics have dismissed it as a desperate attempt to keep their existing plans on track, but it could prove an attractive option for those who agree with the idea of a two-school system but are not so happy about some of the details.

Policy & Resources have also put forward their own amendment, instructing Education to include a comparison of the best-value three-school alternative in its business plan. This could attract votes from those hankering after a more streamlined route to a three-school model than the requete can provide, but since it leaves the final decision to P&R it will depend on how much fellow politicians trust this senior committee.

A late amendment from members of the previous Education Committee attempts to resurrect their three-school plan rejected two years ago. Problems identified with it back then will undoubtedly still apply, but the changing situation could mean it is now considered the lesser of two evils.

So plenty of options, but there is no perfect way forward, just as there is no perfect school model.

Whatever the politicians decide this week, the real challenge ahead will be getting teachers, parents and the wider public on board.