23 November 2010
Parents are being invited to meet the Education Minister in the new year at a series of meetings to discuss proposed spending cuts in his department.
Deputy James Reed has written to all parents in Jersey to explain the consultation process and clarify his position.
"I have been contacted by parents from all backgrounds and with children at the range of Jersey’s schools. Many useful points have been expressed but there has also been some confusion about what is happening. I recognise that many families are feeling anxious so it is important to keep people informed," said Deputy Reed.
Education, Sport and Culture has been asked to find savings of £11 million over the next 3 years as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Council of Ministers aims to find savings of a minimum of £65 million by 2013 across all States departments.
A package of savings put forward by the Education Minister included a proposal to reduce the States subsidy to fee-paying schools. This has been taken out of the 2011 business plan to allow time for more consultation. Proposals will be considered as part of the 2012 business plan.
The Education Department has commissioned an independent review of the fee-paying schools and Deputy Reed is consulting school governing bodies and stakeholders, and will be meeting Parents For Choice representatives.
Full details of the parent meetings will be announced shortly.
Download the letter sent to parents by the Education Minister (size 22kb)
gov.je