Delay education tenders and planning until after the election
IN RELATION to education tenders for the £70m. construction work on schools and submission of the planning application for construction projects to the Development & Planning Authority (Guernsey Press, Saturday 7 December), I would prefer that commencement of the planning application and tender process for the secondary schools wait until after the election. This is a mere six months away.
Education are rushing through this process at a time of public concern with respect to crowding pupils onto two restricted sites, traffic issues and lack of outdoor space, the division of the Sixth Form Centre into two, and the Grammar School and La Mare de Carteret sites having been passed over as additional secondary school locations.
While educational reforms were agreed by the States in September this year, there have been serious concerns subsequently about the plans from teaching unions, parents, teachers, students and local residents over rationalisation of secondary education on two sites. More consideration has to be given to the movement of students across the island and the cost and means of transport.
The alternative school model incorporating all the existing secondary school sites and one Sixth Form Centre at the Grammar School site would have alleviated traffic and crowding worries and saved money.
While Deputy Fallaize insists his committee recognises the importance of communication and engagement, such substantial change in secondary education requires support from stakeholder groups and needs very positive focus on engagement with islanders.
Any further progress on secondary school tenders for construction work and planning should wait for people to have their say in the general election next June.
DEPUTY DAVID DE LISLE,
Le Douit Farm,
Les Reveaux,
St Peter’s,
GY7 9DH.