Let Education get on with 'unenviable and uphill task'
AT THE outset Deputy Paul Le Pelley stated in the columns of the Press that he would see the States decision to its conclusion even if it wasn't one with which he agreed. What short memories the States members and your headline writers have. Presumably Deputy Le Pelley was elected as Education, Sport & Culture president by his fellow States members because they had confidence in his ability to take on that role. He'd had first-hand experience in island schools, and had gained valuable experience during his time as a member of the previous States. During the 30 November debate on the future of Education many points were raised for, and against. I felt that Deputy Le Pelley spoke from the heart. He expressed his honest opinions in a direct manner and it is pitiable that a female deputy was shaken and a teachers' union representative claimed that teachers had been insulted. Those who are/were taught in an educational establishment, whatever its fancy name, have a starting point for believing that they know about schools, education, and how they are run: from this knowledge an expert will pop up, who expands on their school and the educational system, whether it be praise or condemnation, depending on the size of the oak-tree-sized chip on their shoulder.
Teachers are not experts on every aspect of education. It is by teaching that one also learns.
Is our island shortly to be renamed Salem, not Sarnia? The reports by the media have been informative; however the tone of those in the Guernsey Press both biased and derogatory.
A large number of States members have reputations for integrity, honesty and dedication to serving the electorate. Included would be the incumbent president of the Education, Sport & Culture committee. Pressure tactics have worked, so far, on one of the committee, who has resigned. How can the public respect those in positions of authority who brazenly use such ploys?
The vote of no-confidence proposed by Deputy Yerby and her six cohorts implies that they do not trust the president of the Education committee to have the integrity to carry through the incredibly difficult task ahead.
The Education committee members are included in this indictment in this confrontational action; most surprising from a relatively young and inexperienced new member of the States so early into this States term. It's interesting that since Deputy Leadbeater resigned it has been mooted that some of the 'new' Education committee might be re-elected.
My career was in education: teaching all ages, all types of schools, including different methods, ITA being one, in England, countries overseas (also using a TEFL qualification), before returning home to teach in Guernsey. At no time did I consider myself an expert; there was always something to learn, from other sources, colleagues and the children I worked with.
When in charge of fourth-year juniors, parents often asked about their child's chances when taking the 11-plus. I was always at pains to reassure parents that children were individuals, some slow learners, some with good brains but inherently lazy; that some work better with their brains, some with their hands, but whichever was the stronger forte, common sense was as necessary as brains. It is important that the child be happy, that parents support their children and not pressurise them. There are parents who spare no expense or effort and push their children towards goals they themselves attained, or wanted to – some grandparents are also guilty of this. Sadly a child quickly becomes susceptible to the pressure.
The parents blame the system when their child is distressed, as they are too short-sighted to realise it is they who are the cause.
So the vote was to abolish the
11-plus and other selective tests. Great pity. A blueprint for social division and snobbery based on ability to pay rather than the ability of the child. Back to the not-so-good old days when better-off families sent their children to school and the very poor could not; like in a Third World country today.
If you have an Education committee with a president and remaining team who are confident that they can work together, for heaven's sake let them all get on with the unenviable and uphill task and concentrate on other very pressing matters that the electorate view as important issues.
I'm an O.I. Class of 1948 – no pressure in those days thank goodness, we all came from similar backgrounds (fee paying wasn't part of the equation). We've enjoyed our several class reunions over the years – next one in two years we hope.
ANNE HUTCHINGS
