Shake-up in island education promised by new member

Deputy Tasker said she hoped her experience would be of use

Changes will be made to education in Guernsey, the newest member of the Education Department has promised.

Deputy Jenny Tasker was voted onto the department after the States accepted Deputy Mike Collins' resignation.

Deputy Collins was one of four members who offered to resign over falling GCSE results at the island's high schools.

Deputy Tasker, who was the head teacher of La Mare de Carteret Secondary School, said she could help get the department back on track.

The Policy Council has launched a review of the island's education services, the results of which are due by the end of the year.

Deputy Tasker said: "It's just six months or so before the general election and therefore it's going to be difficult perhaps to see how we can make the moves forward.

"We will certainly be working on a number of areas that will be looked at in the review so that we're already a march ahead.

"My hope is that my experience and my general interest will ensure we can work to get the department back on track."

'Necessary resources'

She said she was passionate about education: "When I first was in the States I felt that it was not appropriate at that time to consider education, although people did say to me I should have done.

"Now that I have been retired for well over 10 years my interest in education is still as great.

"I firmly believe we need to work very hard and provide the necessary resources to ensure that everyone has the best opportunities possible in our system to do the best they can."

Deputy Tasker has served the States since she was first elected in a by-election in September 2005.

In taking up a seat on education she has had to stand down from the St Sampson's and La Mare de Carteret High School committees.