Column: Minister Rabain On Education Part 4
[Column written by Minister of Education Diallo Rabain]
Part 4 – Building the New Before Dismantling the Old
One question about the Education Authority deserves a straightforward answer:
If we are creating an Education Authority, why will the Department of Education and Commissioner of Education still exist?
Because changing the governance of an entire public education system cannot responsibly happen overnight.
We must build the new system before dismantling the old one.
First, build the Authority
The first stage establishes the Education Authority and its Board.
The Board then has important work to do.
It must develop recommendations for system-wide education reform, the future governance of maintained schools, greater collaboration with aided schools, and the transition of the Department of Education.
That work includes developing the Authority’s organisational and operational structure and preparing a transition plan covering functions, staff, assets, liabilities, contracts, records and continuity of service.
The Board is given 18 months to submit its recommendations to the Minister.
During that period, the existing education system continues to operate.
That is important.
Education reform must happen while education continues.
Then, come back to Parliament
The end of the 18-month period does not trigger an automatic transfer of the entire education system.
Instead, the legislation requires the Minister, as soon as practicable, to bring a Bill to the Legislature giving effect to the Board’s recommendations. If that Bill is delayed, the Minister must explain the reasons for delay to the Legislature, the steps being taken and the expected date. Further statements are required at intervals of no more than six months until the Bill is laid.
That is an important safeguard.
The Board cannot design the final system and bring the full transition into effect on its own. The next stage comes back to Parliament.
Why does the Commissioner remain?
This also helps explain why the Commissioner of Education remains during this period.
The new Authority and the existing education framework will have to operate alongside one another while the transition work is undertaken.
Where the Authority proposes to exercise a function that may affect a function given to the Commissioner under the Education Act 1996, the new legislation requires the Board to consult the Commissioner.
Notice what the legislation requires: consultation.
It does not say that the Commissioner’s approval is required.
This is not evidence of two competing education systems.
It is part of managing the movement from the existing structure towards the new one.
Why not do everything immediately?
Because we are dealing with an operating public education system.
The legislation itself requires the Board to consider the transfer of functions, staff, assets, liabilities, contracts and records, while preserving continuity of service.
Those things need to be worked through properly.
The objective is not simply to establish an Education Authority quickly.
The objective is to establish it properly.
Phase One is therefore not a waiting period before the “real” work begins.
It is the work required to design the next stage properly.
And when that work is complete, the legislation comes back to Parliament.
That is not hesitation.
It is responsible reform.
- Minister of Education Diallo Rabain
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