School proposals are about saving money, not better education
THE ability to tell blatant porkies with a straight face is an essential skill for any aspiring politician. Deputy Matt Fallaize struggled with this when first elected but has obviously been a diligent pupil and now has all the necessary skills to succeed, as shown when he claimed that the changes proposed for secondary education were intended to give all island children access to the best possible education.
In fact, the changes are cost-saving measures that are bound to reduce standards and, as a direct result, many more parents will seek places at one of the independent colleges for their children. The current capacity will not be sufficient to take them all, so I wonder if one of the existing colleges will buy the Grammar School to cope with the extra demand or if concerned parents will band together with other supporters and attempt to buy it to keep it functioning as a fourth fee-paying independent.
Either way, the States will not only gain from the sale of the Grammar School site, it will reduce annual costs by forcing more parents to pay for the education which it has a legal obligation to provide. As cunning plans go, that really is a beauty. Well done, Mr Fallaize, you are now a true politician.
BARRIE PAIGE.
Editor’s note: The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture declined to comment.