Opposition Councillors Committed To Working To Secure Children’s Future Education on The Isle of Wight
Press Release on Behalf of the Non-Aligned-Group (NAG) - 20th March 2008
Following the defeat of the Motion calling for a Referendum on the future direction of Island education at last night’s Full Council meeting, Opposition Councillors reaffirmed their commitment to keeping standards in education and the well-being of children as the central focus of their work.
Speaking at the Council debate last night, Cllr Melanie Swan, who proposed the Motion calling for a Referendum, said: “Those of us fortunate enough to have children ourselves will know the critical importance of providing security for them: not simply material security but the emotional security which comes from adults working together for the child’s benefit.”
Commenting on the way in which the education consultation was conducted, she said; “Since the proposals were announced in January, we have seen vital relationships being undermined - even breaking down. We cannot provide well for children on the Island when parents and teachers are demoralised”.
Speaking after the meeting Cllr Swan said “We were shocked that the new ‘Option’, adopted by the Conservative Group majority vote last night, was sprung on us at the last minute. We had no time to properly consider the proposals or consult with our communities. However, we are now looking forward and will work to secure a positive future for our children.”
Opposition Councillors have commented on their anxieties about the damaging management style reflected throughout the recent debate. “Our concern now is to do everything we can to make sure that the process of change is worked through with the least possible damage to children’s education, the working experience of schools staff and the cohesion of our local communities. We will continue to work with cross Party colleagues and community groups, as we have done throughout this debate, to do our very best for our Island children” she said.
You can download the press release here.
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March 20th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Whatever your views on option 5 can anyone now say that the Council;
- WILL NOT still close primary/rural schools on mass.
- WILL NOT still create super size high schools.
If you can declare this then you must be able to see the future.
It may be right that this is a great opportunity to improve the standard of island education. If that is, it does not include the decimation of our schools and rural communities and the Council takes consideration of parents’ wishes.
Option 5 was voted for as just an “idea”, NOT as a plan. So they are still free to do much as they please with Island education without accountability.
There is also the issue of the high schools, as Miranda on another blog says;
“And that is that there has been no mention of the plans for high school education.”
Lets not forgot the high schools in this undemocratic process that is being forced upon us and the serious issue of the closure of Carisbrooke High to accommodate a Faith College.
Democratic ????