11 October 2019
Islanders are being encouraged to join the Big Education Conversation as part of a major review of Jersey’s education system.
Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois has today officially launched a review to examine issues in the education system, identify areas where changes could be made as well as asking islanders what they think education will look like in 20 years from now.
Children and young people will be fully engaged throughout the education conversation so that they can have a say on issues that affect their lives.
Everyone with an interest in the education system including parents, teachers, the business community and voluntary sector organisations are being encouraged to have their say and share their views and aspirations for the future of education in Jersey.
Senator Vallois said: “The education needs of the community are evolving, including shifts in the skills we require in our jobs and our everyday lives; demographic changes, advances in technology and a greater focus on social issues such as health and wellbeing. We need to ensure our education system keeps pace and responds effectively to the community’s needs in the years ahead.”
“There are potential wide-ranging implications for the education system, so the first stage of the review is a process of community engagement, which is why we are launching a Big Community Conversation – to find out what the community thinks about education in Jersey.
“This process will help to identify issues and challenges in the system and guide decisions around changes to the education system that might need to be made.”
Over the next three months, the Government of Jersey will be asking islanders to answer four important questions as part of the conversation, including:
What will education look like in 20 years?
What do you think about Jersey’s education system?
What matters to you most?
What are your aspirations for the future and what changes, if any, do you think are needed?
Senator Vallois added: “This is an opportunity to have your say about how you think the Government of Jersey can improve the education system. This conversation is about getting our education system right for the future.
“What everyone tells us will genuinely help to inform decisions about how we can build on the many good things happening in Jersey’s education system already and help to strengthen it for the future so that it continues to meet the needs of the community”.
The first Big Education Conversation will take place at the Skills Show on Friday 18 October where there will be a dedicated stand, at Fort Regent, where young people who attend can share their views as well as anyone with an interest in education.
Detailed consideration has been given to engaging with children and young people and individual schools are being reached through the School Council Network. A representative group of young people will be supporting with the method for engaging with young people through youth clubs and projects.
As part of the Education Conversation, there will be a number of ways people can get involved, including group discussions with students, parents and teachers; drop-in sessions at Youth Clubs; independent focus groups; and an online survey. People who would like to get involved in an event are invited to visit gov.je/bigeducationconversation
gov.je