Dump Shakespeare and teach medicine
THIS is called a disruptive action which I have applied in my career.
Short-term success will be illustrated by the amount of opposition that appears from established organisations.
Long-term success will be judged by the change in society – for certain, it will happen.
Currently taught at schools in Guernsey are GCSEs and A-levels in maths, biology, physics and chemistry – quite hard subjects.
In Guernsey, and indeed in many countries, there is a shortage of medical staff such as care home nurses, doctors, hospital nurses while at the same time there is little knowledge of medicine in the Guernsey population.
I suggest that there is generated, by Guernsey, new subjects in basic medicine at GCSE and A-levels. Yet another quite hard subject.
It would encourage young people to become nurses, doctors and care home nurses from within our population as opposed to bringing those staff in from other countries. It would also elevate the understanding of causes of poor health within the population.
Retired teachers in Guernsey, together with a selection of existing medical staff – I ask that you set up a group to quietly devise the curriculum for such new GCSEs and A-levels and then approach the examining authorities with a completed solution for these new subjects at schools. Do not ask permission to do this or get involved with any States of Guernsey agency.
The colleges should leap on this concept, as passing such exams would be a status symbol within their education results.
Just imagine 70% of the students at Elizabeth College, Ladies’ College and Blanchelande College having an A-level in medicine as a subject for entering medical or nursing or care home degrees at university or studies at the College of FE – the entrance doors would fly open.
It could be said that the colleges have enough subjects to do already, in which case I suggest dumping Shakespeare, some sports, plus comparative religions.
In time I will be following this up with Jersey, the UK and Europe but it really is time Guernsey leads as opposed to following and saying, ‘Lets be the same as the UK’.
We in Guernsey can do this. We in Guernsey can lead the world.
If there is any cost to the above then I pledge £1,000 to assist.
Rex Ferbrache.
FIET. CEng