Education debate important for island's future generations
I AM amazed that so little comment has been caused with regard to the education debate and the questionnaire that has been compiled and published which asks for opinions and answers with concern to the future of education in our island. Surely we are all concerned about the future of our children and yet it seems that the questionnaire remains unanswered by all but a very few; further, very few letters have been published. The document needed to be completed by midnight yesterday.
Let us be clear about the parameters, at least in my rather simplistic mind, we have senior schools: Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College, Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre, Ladies' College, La Mare de Carteret High School, Les Beaucamps High School and St Sampson's High School. The list is strictly alphabetic. Three of these schools are partially funded by the States of Guernsey, but are predominately privately funded by parents. All three 'private' schools achieve exam success of at least five GCSEs at grade A to C, including English and mathematics, at 97% pass rate. One 'public' high school 97%, that school is the Grammar School. Three Guernsey state-funded 'high' schools achieved an average of a 50% pass rate using the same criteria.
Again, simplistically we are asked questions. Do we support selection? How many schools do we require? Do we need to rebuild Mare de Carteret? There is of course another important aspect to the quality and quantity of selection and schooling. We are told that we require more workers of a certain calibre to support our ageing demographic. One may be tempted to compartmentalise but the two things are, in my opinion, linked. If a family is thinking of relocating to Guernsey, what are the important criteria that they must logically consider? Education is one of the key criteria for anyone choosing Guernsey as their new home. That the education received must be of a high quality has to be a given. Then there are the educators, are the teachers employed in senior States-run schools currently achieving a 50% pass rate qualified and capable to teach in either the Grammar School or any one of the private schools?
There are many other arguments which have contributed to my opinion, which is merely the opinion of an individual who has investigated on the web, talked to people and read a lot of the information garnered by the Education committee. Until the States-run senior schools reach a pass rate at least topping the 80% percentile, the Grammar School and the 11-plus or selection of students must continue. The Grammar School is a centre of excellence which must continue without disruption of moving to different premises or any of the many alternatives suggested. Until other facilities can challenge the excellence achieved by one state senior school, that school should be left well alone and aided to continue its good work.
As to the rebuilding of La Mare de Carteret – I would vote for building a single replacement senior school with a simple swimming pool. Not costing the earth but a good, solid, capable school with no bells or whistles, no community centres etc. etc., just a plain, honest school. Bells and whistles may be added when we can, as an island, afford to waste money on frills.
ROSIE HENDERSON,
Ma Carriere,
Le Petit Bouet,
St Peter Port, GY1 2AN.
