The Questions to Ask...

The slight hoo-ha regarding our assertion that the BT telephone book may contain the answers to the question, which schools will be closed, was not quite the cheap trick that some think. It was designed to highlight the issue and the need for answers to the important questions.

Schools closures and the reorganisation of the schools will be an integral part of the 2-Tier proposition.

Of course the reason that these decisions and community debates are not scheduled until after the decision to change to a 2-Tier system has been made, is because it is at that stage that the public reaction to the reorganisation will be greatest. People will protest outside their village primary schools and there will be action groups formed to oppose the closures. People will lay siege to County Hall. But by then it will all be too late and utterly in vain. Now is the time to protest.

But unless the Isle of Wight Council publishes it's reorganisation plans before the decision is taken the opportunity for public comment and protest is very limited.

Kim Johnson's assertion that everything will be a matter for local debate is interesting!! He and his department would indeed be negligent if they have not thought ahead to that decision.

Such decisions will not rely on public debate and consultation. Why should they? The most important change in our school system is about to be put in place with little or no debate in public. Parents have not been consulted. So why have any faith that they will be in the future over the far more emotive issue of which schools should close and whose children will have to be educated in much bigger schools possibly from the age of 4.