The Isle of Wight’s education cabinet member has warned of the risks of “false information” as a council consultation on school proposals and possible closures gets underway.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon said parents, teachers and children should all be able to reach views based on “accurate, factual statements” but added with an “emotive issue” such as this, there is an ever present danger that “opinions or allegations” can be misconstrued as statements of fact.
Widespread opposition to school place planning proposals
As previously reported, there has been widespread opposition to the council’s school place planning proposals which it has said are aimed at “raising educational standards”.
The council’s cabinet decided to go ahead with Councillor Bacon and Ashley Whittaker’s consultation on proposals to reduce surplus primary school places and expanding Special Educational Needs provision on 13th September.
Protests and petitions
Since then, parents have taken part in protests and signed petitions to oppose proposed potential closures of six primary schools across the Island.
Yesterday, at the first of a number of school area meetings in Cowes, a tense question and answer session took place between parents and council officers.
Unison’s Isle of Wight local government branch secretary, Mark Chiverton, told the meeting there is “huge consternation” and “frustration” amongst the “entire staff group” about the proposals.
Bacon: False information does not help
Councillor Bacon, who represents Brading and St Helens, said,
“Provided people are cautious and careful to ensure that facts are being dealt with, or where things are opinions, that is being clearly indicated, then that assists the debate.
“It does not help a proper, sound consultation on an emotive issue like this to risk false information getting into the mix and derailing things.
“In any process if you have misinformation, misunderstanding, it can mean that particularly in an emotive issue like this, people can get worried unnecessarily – that can cause stress, upset – there has to be an absolute concern about wellbeing of those involved in this process.”
Bacon: Process being led with absolute intent of improving educational standards
As to why the council should be trusted by Islanders during this consultation, Councillor Bacon added,
“I’d hope that people can feel they can trust the process because it is being led with the absolute intent of improving educational standards, our SEN provision.
“That is the aim of myself and a very dedicated team of Island-centred officers who are trained and work day to day to improve the lot of our children on the Island.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
