Latest news with #States-maintained
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey's P&R committee warns college cuts may have wider impact
Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has urged deputies to "carefully consider" representations of stakeholders ahead of a debate about possible college funding cuts. The Committee for Education, Sport and Culture hopes to reallocate grants currently given to three private colleges to States-maintained totalled £723,000 in the 2019/20 academic year and could total about £2.85m for 2025/ on behalf of P&R, Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said it was important islanders had confidence that "decisions made in respect of the future funding arrangements are evidence-based and informed not just by the direct financial costs but the wider strategic implications". 'Potential destabilising effect' If deputies vote in favour of proposals as they stand, funding for the institutions - Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College and the Ladies' College - would be phased out over a five-year the letter of comment, P&R said that the importance of the colleges had been well demonstrated by statements from both the Institute of Directors and the Guernsey international Business Association. Similar points were made by the colleges to deputies and were shared by the majority of non-conflicted members of the committee. Again speaking on behalf or P&R, Trott said: "Should the colleges be correct that a reduction in States' funding would result in increased fees and a potential reduction in their student numbers, concerns have been raised regarding the potential destabilising effect on the sector."The three colleges individually provide specific education offerings, which collectively complement the States' schools, and the committee would be concerned if the viability of one, or more, of the colleges was detrimentally affected."Debate is due to start in the States' chamber from Wednesday. P&R Vice-president Heidi Soulsby has recused herself from the debate as she is a member of the Ladies' College's board of governors.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
IoD urges States of Guernsey to keep funding independent colleges
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has warned deputies against voting in favour of proposals that could see funding cut for independent colleges in the island. Blanchelande College, Elizabeth College and The Ladies' College are expected to receive funding of £2.85m for 2025/ if deputies vote in favour of proposals, funding for independent colleges could be phased out and reinvested in the States-maintained education system. A spokesman for the IoD said it was "critical for deputies to consider the economic contribution and benefits of independent education". They added: "We must acknowledge the risks to economic growth, confidence, competitiveness and therefore our future success from removing some or all of the funding."The committee for education, sport and culture has said it wants to phase out financial support for the colleges as is "not the best use of taxpayer money".It adds that funding private education is an "unfair allocation" of funding which widens inequality and that it is not necessary for the colleges to continue the IoD maintains the independent colleges represent value for money, delivering high-quality educational outcomes at a low cost to the States. The IoD said: "Guernsey would be putting itself at a distinct disadvantage at exactly the moment when ensuring educational stability and outcomes is vital for long term economic growth and success."The grant given to the colleges was £723k in 2019/20, which has increased to an expected cost of £2.85m by 2025/ issue will be debated by the States of Deliberation on 19 March.
