An education survey conducted by the Independent MP Lawrence Llamas has shown that two thirds of respondents believe Government is “rushing the revolution in education.”

A statement from Mr Llamas revealed more results from the survey:

“Since the Government made the surprise announcement regarding their education plans, members of our community, mainly teachers and parents, have expressed concern to me regarding (1) the unreasonably fast pace at which these plans are expected to be implemented and (2) the concept of a mega school campus housing two independent secondary schools.

“At the first opportunity in November, I filed Parliamentary questions regarding these plans. In particular I asked whether a formal consultation would be carried out. It became clear that the plans were being rushed and the Government would not be conducting a formal consultation in which the affected people could voice their opinions and concerns.

“In response to the perceived lack of consultation I conducted a survey of my own which was launched on the 9th January allowing teachers, parents and anyone with an interest in the plans to voice their opinions anonymously.

“The results so far in certain areas are making some interesting reading, which is why I want to share them.

“Although the survey is available until 31st January 2018 the response has already been overwhelming with a total of 802 respondents having completed it. The figure comprises 431 parents and 146 from the teaching or education profession.

“With regards to Co-education, for example, 79% of respondents are in favour of the change in secondary education. Respondents have also been asked whether they feel there has been sufficient consultation with stakeholders. The overall result, so far, is significant and very telling given that a majority, (56%) are of the view that there has not been sufficient consultation, with 24% being unsure. However, when you break this figure up the results are even more significant given that 63% of teachers feel there has not been enough consultation with just 17% agreeing there has been.

“This is a significant marker from the survey so far and supports the view I held originally.

“The survey is also highlighting concerns relating to traffic management, disruption to children's education and the duress teachers may be placed under in the implementation of these plans.

"A detailed analysis will be made public after the closure of the three-week consultation.”

Mr Llamas provided the following analysis of key points when you extract the ‘Not sure’ votes:

- 69% of education professionals so far are not satisfied that the Government has set out clearly enough what the benefits of its plans for the supposed ‘revolution’ in education will be.

- Co-education at secondary level is backed by an overall 76% of those who have participated thus far. This includes 80% of education professionals who offered a view so far are in favour of the introduction of co-education at the secondary level although an message of caution is transpiring with 59% of these having expressed concerns about its implementation.

- The introduction of hot-meals holds different views amongst parents and teachers with 84% of parents in favour of this policy, however, the education profession is split currently showing 51% in favour.

- 85% of education professionals who offered a view on whether the education system in Gibraltar was in need of a change agreed that there was, indeed, a need. Of these changes, when asked about the idea of having both comprehensives in the same location, a significant 63% of those polled expressed dissatisfaction with the idea.

- About the same proportion (62%) were dissatisfied with the idea of retaining the two hierarchies (2 headteachers, 2 heads of departments, etc). In fact, 67% of those education professionals polled who offered a view were in agreement with the idea that the secondary schools could be split into a lower and upper secondary school arrangement.

- With regards to the locations of these schools, parents are not yet providing a clear result either way, however 60% of the education professional are not in agreement with the locations planned.

- In relation to the school year re-alignments a full 78% of those polled said that they were not satisfied with the amount of consultation there had been with stakeholders.

- In relation to the plans for St Martin’s, a compelling 83% of those polled indicated that they were not satisfied with the level of consultation with the parents of SEN children and the number is the same for education professionals involved in the provision special educational needs services.

- Perhaps the most significant figure is that 81% of educational professionals who were polled and offered a view on whether they agreed that the Government had consulted sufficiently with relevant stakeholders in the development of these plans, disagreed with that view.

- 70% also ‘completely disagree’ that the Government is taking its time to ensure that plans for educations are carried out correctly, with the minimum amount of disruption, and in a manner which puts school children first.

- According to Mr Llamas, in what can be considered a “damning assessment” of the motivations of the Government, 62% of the respondents taking the survey considered that, on balance, it was electoral timetabling that has driven/is driving Government to make this kind of investment in education, at this time and in this manner.

Mr Llamas concluded:

“Clearly, parents and education professionals are expressing concern at the manner in which this is all happening, which is not to say that they are not happy with the fact that something is happening. A widely held view is that the system needs changing but it is also abundantly clear that teachers and other education professionals feel left out. Why is this? Is it communication, or a lack thereof? It must be in the interests of our children’s education that the people who are on the front line of educating them should play a substantial role in shaping and defining the future of education in Gibraltar as it must also be for their parents.

“We all have a stake in this and our views should not be sacrificed on the altar of electoral expediency.”