Once again decisions about Guernsey’s education are being made for the future of our children that are not in their best interests, and there is no opinion from adult, child or teaching professional, that will change the minds of those with the gavel, so it seems.
But this is not a new scenario – and we as parents are tired and somewhat dazed from being met with the repeated poor outcomes of secondary education for our kids. And let’s be clear, it’s not the fault of the teachers, but the government.
With the latest news they will now be using the Sixth Form Centre at Les Varendes as offices – we as parents are once again left dumbfounded and mute to these ever changing and seemingly cleverly revealed layers of plans. And with an election looming, if what they say is true and voting is using your voice, then why do I feel my voice is constantly muted by the Guernsey States on this topic?
As I understand it, revealing this next step of relocating the education department to Les Varendes, so late in the process, stops any of the former decisions now in motion from being halted – and disallowing any form of political debate or voice of the public to be heard or make an impact. This alongside the poor financial position our island finds itself in is only continuing to cause politicians to make timely and ill-fitting decisions for the future generations who will have to endure the fallout from them.
Personally, my family has been affected by the ever-changing secondary education system for the past 10 years, and the outcomes have not improved. Currently my eldest will be transferred to Les Varendes from La Mare High in September for his final GCSE year. We were under the impression that the re-location of the Sixth Form Centre was to make space for this transfer and for the future reduction of secondary sites; not to allow for office space. Meanwhile the sixth form students and future of our island are demoted to using the unfit for purpose La Mare building – which the education department are presenting to them as an exciting opportunity to study by the seaside. (no joke, you should read the newsletters!)
If the rest of the Assembly knew the sixth form was to be made into offices at the start of the debate – would they have voted for it to have been relocated from their purpose-built building in the first place, leaving the highest level students to endure the west coast winters in the cardboard shack that is La Mare? Said from the mouth of babes – aka my son and his friends who have studied there for the past four years.
If my vote is my voice, then it appears I am currently speechless. The majority of those who I entrusted with it have failed me and my children, and I am yet to see when a change will appear.
Time to vote and find my new voice.
Will you find yours?
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