STATES Members have voted not to extend the requirement for Jersey pupils to study at least one modern language, other than English, from the age of 14 to 16.
A key part of the proposition by Deputy Montfort Tadier to change the Island’s policy on language teaching for GCSE students was scuppered when an amendment by Education Minister Rob Ward was narrowly supported.
While his Reform Jersey colleague wanted the change to be brought in by September 2026, Deputy Ward sought Members’ support for a review and consultation to be carried out by the Jersey Curriculum Council before any decision is taken.
As the debate resumed yesterday, Deputy Ward said he wanted to apologise to members of the council for comments made by other politicians on Tuesday.
“The integrity of these hard-working, skilled, experienced volunteers has been called into question,” he said. “I do not share the views [of others] that this review would be a fait accompli, that they work at a ‘leisurely pace’ or that they’d show bias based on workload.
“They know about the reality of what a curriculum is. Without a review in terms of the way this will work realistically, we are going to stumble into a change that will have a profound effect on what our children can choose.”
The Education Minister said there had been little indication from Deputy Tadier or those supporting his proposition about how additional teachers would be recruited and the cost implications.
Deputy Louise Doublet said that research showed children were pre-disposed to picking up languages, with evidence of a “critical window” to the age of 17 or 18, after which picking up linguistic skills became much harder.
Deputy Hilary Jeune criticised colleagues who had made Deputy Tadier’s move sound like “a huge imposition” when in reality it was extending the current arrangements for teaching pupils aged seven to 13 by just two more years.
After Members voted by 24 to 20 to support Deputy Ward’s amendment, Deputy Tadier then withdrew the part of his proposition, as amended, which would have instigated the review.
The debate continued on two remaining clauses: supporting children in accessing and developing their home language and for schools to continue to offer a choice of at least two modern languages, other than English, one of which must be French.
The final vote on the amended proposition saw 46 Members voting in favour, with Deputy Steve Ahier casting the only vote against.
The vote
Education Minister’s amendment on Jersey Curriculum Council review –
FOR: Constables Crowcroft, Jehan, Labey, Le Sueur, Lewis and Vibert. Deputies Ahier, Alves, Andrews, R Binet, T Binet, Coles, C Curtis, Farnham, Feltham, Gorst, Howell, Le Hegarat, Luce, Mézec, Millar, Porée, Southern and R Ward (24).
AGAINST: Constables Jackson, Johnson, Mezbourian, Shenton-Stone and Troy. Deputies Bailhache, Doublet, A Curtis, Ferey, Gardiner, Jeune, Kovacs, Miles, Moore, Ozouf, Renouf, Tadier, B Ward, Warr and Wilson
ABSTAINED: Deputy Labey (20). Constable Richard Honeycombe and Deputies Kirsten Morel, Moz Scott and Lucy Stephenson were not present for the vote.
