From Education Minister James Reed.
I WOULD like to respond to recent criticisms made on these pages that I have not provided historical information about the ESC department when requested.

I would like to clarify that I have replied to Mr Henwood on several occasions, both through the JEP and in direct correspondence, although I have not received any request from Mr Bale.

I have provided detailed figures for 2009 but not comparison figures dating back to 1978 as originally requested or 1985 as later requested. The reason for this is simply that the education department of 33 years ago no longer exists and the modern organisation bears no realistic comparison to its predecessor.

As is the case for many other States departments, records dating back this far are only archived in paper form and are not readily accessible. I was not, and am still not, prepared to commit the significant resources and staff time that would be required to find and collate the data. Not only would it represent poor value for the taxpayer but I believe it would be of very little use for the following reasons:

• The Education Department as it was in 1978 and 1985 no longer exists. In 2003 the Department for Education, Sport and Culture was formed and a new organisational structure put in place to encompass the functions of the former Sport, Leisure and Recreational Committee as well as responsibility, oversight and sponsorship of the various cultural organisations.

• Pupil numbers had increased significantly. In 1985 there were 10,376 pupils in the system. In 2009 there were 13,847 pupils.

• In line with most modern education systems, a range of services have been developed to support inclusion. These include an expansion of the Educational Psychology Service, the Educational Welfare Service and Special Needs Support Service.

•  Since 1978 new provisions had been developed to support children with special needs in mainstream schools where possible.

•  In 1985 the school leaving age was raised to 16.

•  Since then there has been a marked increase in pupils remaining in education post 16 which has led to an increased demand for further and higher education.

• The development of nursery education had led to 17 nursery classes being established at primary schools catering for approximately 520 children.

• New technologies have had an impact on the education service which
manages one of the biggest ICT networks in the Channel Islands.

• The development of higher education courses in the Island has also increased demand for resources.

• The introduction of Ministerial government and, in particular Scrutiny, has placed new demands on the department.

Detailed information about the allocation of resources can be found in the States Annual Business Plan and Annual Accounts.

If any correspondents wish to establish whether or not the administrative functions of my department are fit for purpose, I would refer them to the 2008 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the subsequent independent review of the management structure of ESC, which was made available to the JEP earlier this year.

Information about public sector salaries and staff numbers is released by the States Employment Board and also publicised in the JEP.