17/04/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Worrying reading for Guernsey as literacy levels in primary schools

fall. Plus, building up social housing with a �27 million

investment. And find out why Condor's paying some workers under

half the minimum wage - and it's not illegal. A drop in reading

standards at Guernsey's primary schools is being highlighted as a

key concern in a report out today. Denis Mulkerrin, who carried out

the review of primary education, says there's been a worrying

decline in results - especially for boys. So how bad is the problem,

and what can be done about it? Well I put those questions to our

reporter Penny Elderfield a short time ago. Well just to give you a

bit of context - this report came about because of that highly

critical review, also by Denis Mulkerrin, of Guernsey's secondary

schools. And whilst the primary sector doesn't come off as badly -

there's room for improvement. Although the results vary across

the schools, on average just 70% of 10 and 11-year-olds reached the

expected levels in reading in the last year ,compared to 84 in the UK.

And the results for boys are particularly worrying. Bomb he be -

- the fact that Guernsey's reading rates are behind those in England

is wrong. That has got to be an immediate priority for education in

primary schools. And the report says if you don't get that basic

skill at a young age it will affect your education later down the line.

So the conclusion is Guernsey needs to do something about this now. So

how is Education going to tackle this? More focused reading groups,

making better use of volunteers in schools, and encouraging parents to

do their bit at home as well. And although the Education Department

wouldn't say which individual schools it would be focusing on, it

did say any extra help would be targeted. There is a range of

skills that we will put more sources -- the resources in. We

could have subject specialists or education officers going in. I will

not reveal everything just now. What else came out of this review?

There are lots of recommendations. From how teaching assistants are

used in schools to consolidating the 11 plus exam. The need for free

pre-school education is highlighted - something Education is looking at.

And the report also puts the possible closure of schools back on

the agenda. Because with 800 spare spaces, and a saving target on 1.6

million, it's something the department will be looking at again.

�27 million could be used to improve social housing in Jersey.

The announcement was made in the States today, along with news a

report on standards of health care at the island's General Hospital

could soon be made public. Nafisa Sayani has been following events.

It's been described as a welcome boost for the building industry.

And in all, six sites - including La Collette Tower and Le Squez -

could benefit from the projects to refurbish social housing and build

new homes in the island. Jersey's Treasury Minister announced today

the �27 million would come from the States current account which is in

better shape than originally thought, thanks to higher-than-

expected income tax receipts. Politicians still need to approve

the plans but Senator Ozouf said it would be a good investment: This

will have the benefit of keeping construction companies in work

which would undoubtedly be laying off people because of the credit

squeeze. We will be keeping islanders in work and getting good

value for taxpayers in terms of repairs that have to be done in our

housing programme. Also in the States Chamber today came news that

a report into the standard of services at Jersey's General

Hospital could be released to the public. The Aitkenhead report was

commissioned after a 75-year-old man died in the hospital in

December 2008 after a routine Hernia operation. Joseph Vasse

developed an infection and died of multiple organ failure. There have

been calls from his family and their lawyer to make the report

public. The Minister for Health and Social Services said it's important

that islanders can see it for themselves. It is a matter of

public interest. There is only one hospital and it is important that

the report is there and that the hospital is safe. It's hoped the

report will be released next week Condor Ferries has been accused by

a national newspaper of paying staff sailing from Portsmouth just

�2.35 an hour. That's below the minimum wage set in the UK and the

The staff involved are Ukrainian - and it's claimed they're paid less

than �30 for a twelve hour day. Edward Sault reports. This is the

article that's prompted the controversy. The Mirror say they've

seen a contract for workers - employed through an agency in the

Ukraine - which sees them earn just under thirty pounds for a twelve

hour day. It's claimed the staff in question work on the companies

freighter vessels rather than high speed services like the express,

vitesse and rapide. So why are the Paid under the minimum wage set in

the Channel Islands and the UK. This evening Condor answered back.

Weepy medical, dental, their lodgings when they are on board. --

we pay medical. The only are here for 12 weeks and then they go back

to the Ukraine. What we pay them is four times what they would get back

home. Employment lawyers locally say some shipping firms register

abroad for what's known as flags of convenience' so a firm can operate

under the laws of that region rather than were they sail to and

from. But this wouldn't be allowed to happen if the ships were

registered in the Channel Islands. Potentially jurisdictions which

have little connection to the ship's will be responsible for the

kind of protection as those people have. It may seem controversial -

but Condor aren't doing anything illegal. The company say the

workers are paid above average and that they're committed to the

welfare of the staff. Jersey goes to the polls tomorrow. Our reporter

has more. There are less than 24 hours and tell you can decide who

will represent you. We have got signs, boxes, biffs and also one of

the men who is organising this. You are one of the Constables in St

Peter Port, what will people do when they come in here? You will

come to this table, your name will be written in one of these little

books and you will be giving the appropriate number ballot slip to

make your selection on. Once you have these like you then move

across the room to the ballot stations and you will then fill in

your selection. Having completed that you will then bring your

selection over to the box. At, the ballot box. And placed it in the

ear. Unfortunately this office does not have disabled access but the

one in St Stephen's does. Thank you very much, now let's go on to the

street and find out what the appetite is on the streets this

evening. Ideally have not got an interest in it and I think a lot of

people are the same. -- ideally have not got. A think we have to

take an active part in how the island is governed. I'd think there

is a lot of pressure because of what the UK Government are doing to

the island. It is disastrous. Tomorrow is your opportunity to

shape the island's future. Jersey Post has announced that it will

increase the cost of posting a letter from May the 8th. Stamp

prices are going up as the company struggles to maintain service

levels. The removal of the fulfilment industry, Royal Mail

increasing its stamp costs, and the decline in mail volumes are all

factors behind the increase. Now a look at the weather. The unsettled

weather is continuing overnight. Further showers and some heavy rain

Further showers and some heavy rain to come for a time overnight

tonight. It is this low pressure dominating the pressure. --

dominating the weather. Even by Thursday we will still have that

low-pressure near by. The wind will have come down a little bit but it

will still be fairly breezy with a chance of showers for much of this

week. Tonight we start off with showers, some heavier downpours as

well. There could be longer spells of rain for a time in the early

hours of tomorrow morning. Temperatures around five Celsius at

the lowest. A wet start for many tomorrow. Some heavy bursts of rain

as well. There will still be some showers through the afternoon but

the chance of a few dry and bright intervals. It is going to feel

fairly cool. There will be pretty As we head through tomorrow evening

still these strong winds to watch out for. We will also keep these

unsettled conditions so it is looking pretty showery towards the