T&R flunking subject of Education

If it was not for T&R interfering in an almost dictatorial way, the La Mare build would be under way and we would not have wasted all that money spent on the project so far. Plus the Guernsey building industry would be in a much healthier state right now.

T&R need to be put back in their box and the lid nailed down. That is the truth.

The real question is why they are interfering in this way? Is there a 'hidden agenda'? College funding maybe?

Education are fulfilling a mandate given to them in 2001 after the last Education debate on selection.

In November 2014, the department asked the States to give the final go-ahead for the redevelopment of La Mare de Carteret Schools. At that point, T&R stepped in and, via an amendment lodged by the chief minister and deputy chief minister, called for an independent review.

Gavin St Pier hinted that he was looking for savings of £6/7 million and the fear was that the whole project would be reduced in size, scale and delayed.

When Dr Chris Nicholls' team reported back and said we needed a bigger school, T&R had collective egg all over their faces. They quickly changed their tune and are now demanding we build a 960-pupil secondary school, reduce the number of States schools from four to three, and also have a complete review of selection, just for good measure.

This is making major policy decisions on the hoof, and is unprecedented. It is quite ridiculous, as these ideas have not been researched and nobody has been consulted.

Who do T&R think they are? A government within a government?

No wonder Tina Watson, head of the Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre, plus the head teachers of the three high schools have written a joint letter pointing out their collective concerns.

We need evidence-based decision making, and consultation with all stakeholders, not the dog's breakfast being served up by Gavin et al.

I would like to see Guernsey's long-term education strategy taken out of the hands of politicians and passed to a consortium of our head teachers and educational professionals.

Politicians in Guernsey have, for the most part, proved incapable of understanding the subject.

TIM LANGLOIS,

L'Ecluse,

Rue des Marchez,

St Peter's, GY7 9AF.