Work on handing over the management of schools has reached a crucial point with a decision on what might happen next now expected by the end of this year.
The ‘Education Devolution & Delegation Investigation & Advisory Committee’ – known as ‘EDDIAC’ – was set up following the 2025 election, to forge ahead with long-standing plans to allow head teachers and governors to manage schools themselves, with less day-to-day input from civil servants working at education headquarters.
When EDDIAC started work last year the committee members said that the first phase of their work would be around “discovery”, so they could “fully understand the functions that are provided by the States of Guernsey which could be devolved”.
Deputies Tina Bury, Haley Camp, Garry Collins, Paul Montague, and Charles Parkinson have been visiting education settings across the island – including The Sixth Form Centre and The Guernsey Institute, as well as States-run primary and secondary schools.
They’ve been speaking with school governors, Education Officers, staff, teaching unions, parents, and students to see how systems currently work and could change, and what risks would need to be managed, and they’ve looked at how schools and colleges are managed elsewhere.
EDDIAC Chair Deputy Bury said they’ve now reached the point where they’ll be “narrowing the range of options under consideration”.
The next stage of their work will involve adding more details to their preferred options.
Deputy Bury said EDDIAC planned to share its recommendations with States Members and other relevant parties this autumn, before the States debates any proposed changes later this year.
“Throughout Stages 1 and 2, we have been working with an open mind, with full knowledge that there is no single, off-the-shelf model that could be adopted without careful consideration of our island context, needs and ambitions for learners,” she said.
“We have been determined to follow the evidence and to listen carefully to the people who know our education system best. We want to understand what will genuinely improve outcomes and experiences for learners, and make sure any recommendations we bring forward are robust, practical and in the best interests of children and young people.
“The Committee is grateful to everyone who has given their time so generously. We’ve spoken to school leaders, governors and parent governors, students, officers and unions . Their willingness to share their views has greatly enriched our approach, and we look forward to continuing these conversations in the months ahead.”
