As deputies continue to debate the future of the States grant to the three private colleges, they’ve so far intimated support for maintaining the payments with a five-year notice period before they can stop.
An amendment lodged by deputies Gavin St Pier and Peter Ferbrache won support this morning, despite some passionate speeches against the idea of prolonging the grants.
Currently, Education, Sport, and Culture pay around £3million per year to Blanchelande, Elizabeth, and Ladies’ College. The committee wants to phase the payments out completely by 2031/32, but there is staunch opposition.
ESC had attempted to lodge a compromise agreement via an amendment encompassing other suggestions made to alter their plans – but deputies refused to debate that yesterday with the States now working their way through the five amendments lodged prior to the meeting starting.
Those amendments include proposals for a return to ‘special place holders’, reduced grants over a longer period of time, and closer working between the colleges and the States maintained schools.
Debate started yesterday with Education President, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen laying out her vision via the ‘composite amendment’.
“The committee is simply trying to apply the principles of good governance,” she said. “It is trying to ensure that there is an open, full and transparent debate, and that it is not overly protracted by repetition of amendments that have similar themes, which I hope will resonate with members”.
With the States not debating that amendment, the discussion moved on to the proposal lodged by deputies St Pier and Ferbrache.
Instead of a fixed, long-term funding commitment, it proposed a rolling, five-year financial plan with clear notice periods to give the Colleges reasonable certainty for planning. The funding model would be adjusted to be based on the number of students at the Colleges, which helps ensure that if student numbers decline, the funding decreases accordingly. This prevents an increase in funding if the Colleges’ income decreases.
The Colleges will be assessed based on student performance to ensure the financial support aligns with educational outcomes.
Deputy Steve Falla was one of those supporting this amendment, citing the economic importance of the schools viability.
“At our last meeting, this assembly agreed measures designed to stabilise the care home sector. The risk arising from today’s debate is that we destabilise our existing education system. We could unintentionally leave education, when looked at holistically, in a worse state with unknown and far reaching consequences.
“I’m just going to highlight what I see as one of the benefits of the colleges. As an economic enabler, it has never been more important to attract families to Guernsey who will make a valuable contribution to our economy.
“I think Deputies St Pier and Ferbrache should be congratulated, on drafting this sort of compromise. It’s the way forward. It’s the best way forward, and I’ll be supporting this amendment.”
ESC Vice President, Deputy Sam Haskins argued passionately against the grants continuing in the way proposed though, as debate resumed this morning.
Declaring himself an ‘Old Elizabethan’ he called for more investment in the States sector saying they are as importantly economically.
“We should be investing more in education, more in our people, especially when looking for economic opportunity and growth. And that goes for all people, of all ages. Any good business will tell you, you are your people. Whatever business you’re in, you’re in the business of people. One of Guernsey’s greatest strengths is its people. The more highly skilled we are, the more opportunities we have, the better we are as an island, the more resilient we will be.”
As the debate continued this morning, further support for the colleges was highlighted with Deputy David de Lisle reiterating an oft repeated sentiment, that the colleges actually save the States money.
“Today, the colleges are educating 30% of the island’s secondary school children, a great saving to the States and Guernsey taxpayers, and to the ESC budget. 1200 students at eight to 10,000, a year saves over £10 million. That’s a lot of money,” he said.
Deputy Chris Blin also queried how the States sector would cope if students leave the colleges if fees rise when the grants are cut.
“(The States schools) are doing a good job. But there are issues, staffing issues, transition, etc. So have we considered what impact this will have on our teachers, our students and the infrastructure of our schools?
“The current proposal assumes that only 10% of the students may move to States schools, but this is only an assumption, not a guarantee. If that number were to be higher, the supposed savings could evaporate or even cost the States more in the long run.
“Guernsey also needs to remain competitive as a place to live and work. Jersey continues to subsidise independent education, and we must consider what removing funding entirely would signal to professionals looking to relocate.”
Ultimately deputies backed the proposal lodged by Deputies St Pier and Ferbache, but the debate continues with further amendments lodged looking to preserve the States grant to the colleges in other ways.
A final vote on the ESC proposals, as amended or otherwise, is not expected before Friday.