Selection process is not the problem
WITH reference to the letter by Gervase Ashton Certain, Ed, BA, MEd, in the Guernsey Press of 1 March. It makes me angry that an educational professional (according to their post-nominal letters) can write about 'young people deemed failures at 11'. The selection process decides which route the child takes (i.e. vocational via the high schools, or academic via the Grammar School) and should not be seen as pass/fail.
I was one of the last to take the 11-plus in the UK and passed, but went to a 'good' comprehensive school. We were streamed in some lessons but others were in 'mixed- ability groups'.
I can well remember the teachers of these groups struggling to control some pupils who just didn't want to learn, while we sat there learning nothing. Is this the way forward to achieving academic excellence? I personally think not.
In the same Press was Deputy Hadley's viewpoint. A couple of things jumped out.
1. With the States attempting to move towards 'joined up thinking', why are Education looking to transport pupils (or teachers) between sites when Environment are trying to reduce our vehicle usage? Also, how much 'learning time' will these movements remove from the pupil?
2. It is worrying that Deputy Hadley states that the 'bursary' system proposed for the colleges will be 'contingent with meeting the States' widening access agenda' – in other words, the States could cite this as a reason for cutting funding if they perceive access is being made on academic merit, thus creating financial issues for the colleges, causing fees to rise unsustainably.
3. Deputy Hadley states 'we have allowed a considerable amount of time to plan the implementation'. This to me sounds like a done deal.
Bobf_gsy@ hotmail.com
Name and address withheld.
