First deadline looming for ‘our future dictator’

It’s a bit like the classic war film where they seem to complement each other’s differences and in the end, for some reason, the plan always comes together.

The difference with this analogy is that in the films they are generally working against a dictator, not growing one from within.

I cannot sit back any longer and watch from the sidelines as a pocket of power continues to grow unchecked and we sleep-walk into a disaster that will affect the future of our children.

The previous Education committee did not cover themselves in glory – this was more down to ineptitude and their inability to work as a team.

Before they knew it, they had been outsmarted and unceremoniously ousted on the promise of an alternative school model with zero substance.

As a parent I was promised that this model will be developed quickly (beyond the fag packet) and by the end of the summer term I would know where my child would be going to school in 2019.

The clock is ticking.

I hope for the president’s sake he meets this deadline as his position would surely be untenable if he doesn’t, but let’s consider what has been happening in the time since their appointment, in the time that this really critical plan should have been 100% focus.

Apparently the curriculum that I was presented with, as a parent last year, is under consideration. The curriculum that made me excited as a parent, confident that my children’s education was in great hands and proud to live on an island that was already becoming the educational envy of the modern world. Burn the books, or the brochure at least.

The senior leadership team within the Education department has been decimated. I do not buy for a second the puffed-up bumf stating that people were retiring, seeking other opportunities or just deciding to leave. This is a clear-out of people who do not conform to be replaced by more ‘compliant’ people.

There is a plan to replace the people who give us their independent view of performance and progress. Education Scotland inspectors will be replaced by another body. Put your own police in place.

This may be a bit far-fetched, but this is the behaviour of a dictator, laying the ground work to impose total rule.

My biggest issue is that our future dictator has tried and failed before. Under his previous watch the island skipped along merrily, believing that Guernsey outperformed the UK in GCSEs. We all loved that idea and never really questioned it, but someone did and got stonewalled.

They got the results through a freedom of information request through Jersey, of all places, and guess what? The island was not only worse than presented but massively underperformed when compared with the UK, worse than inner cities with all the social problems that do not exist in Guernsey.

This was covered up and fabricated for years and all happened under the watch of our current president. He resigned, the staff were replaced and a new broom brought the island in line and then to a position of outperforming its UK compatriots.

So now we trust this president, with this track record, to do what?

He removes the people who solved the mess he created and all they stand for. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect a different outcome.

An announcement in the Guernsey Press said that a candidate who failed to win over the interviewing committee, that included children and teachers, has been ‘seconded’ into the department. The person interviewing for the director of Education role, and who failed to appoint, is appointed himself.

Seven members of the senior leadership team have left since this new committee has been in place.

I don’t know how many that leaves, but it can’t be many, and that only matters if you intend to carry on with the work they have done.

The only measure of the impact this is having is to look at the number of people leaving the States system. Blanchelande School has gone from scraping around for pupils to a three-form entry and forcing parents to enrol a year early. All in the last nine months. If this was a business and your customers went to a competitor and paid more for the privilege, the leader wouldn’t last two minutes.

So why is this being accepted?

Your first deadline is looming Mr President. I do hope you fall at the first hurdle, you fall on your sword and we get back to some semblance of normality with an educationalist running education.

In the meantime, parents need to mobilise, make your thoughts heard.

Teachers, you need to stand up for what you believe.

Heads need to push back at the highest level.

Viva la resistance.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD.

Editor’s footnote: Deputy Matt Fallaize, president of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, replies:

‘It will come as no surprise to your readers that I strongly disagree with the majority of your correspondent’s letter. I can, however, reassure the author that we will confirm before the end of the academic year where all current Year 5 students will attend secondary school in 2019.

I am always willing to engage with anyone, whether supportive or critical, who wishes to express their concerns with me directly.

‘I would encourage your correspondent to do so.’