Monday 11 November 2019
Deputy Matt Fallaize said:
"Committee members and officers have met union representatives several times to understand better the questions and concerns of their members which are reflected in the surveys. This week Committee members, officers and school leaders are in all four secondary schools to talk to teachers and other staff. We know we need to improve the way we communicate and engage with stakeholders and obviously this includes teachers.
"The new model of education was agreed by the States in 2018 and in September this year, including the maximum capital investment in the two new 11-18 colleges. But many of the questions and issues raised by the teaching unions concern matters where final decisions are yet to be made and more discussion is necessary. These include the allocation of space in the new colleges, the length of the school day, the curriculum model and the future staff structure. We look forward to ongoing discussions about these things with teachers and others.
"Over many years of debate about the future of secondary education it has become clear that opinion is very divided and there is no obvious consensus for any one particular model - not among teachers nor parents nor students nor anyone else. As a Committee we have to balance competing priorities. If we provided everything the teachers' surveys indicate they consider desirable then the costs would be so enormous we would never secure States' support. If, on the other hand, we put too much emphasis on cost restraint we would not deliver the high standard of facilities and equality of opportunity which our students deserve. As we continue to develop our plans we will keep striking the appropriate balance between these competing priorities."
