'Schools can cope with delays'

Deputy Ozanne he will keep to the schools building programme

Guernsey's major school rebuilding scheme can cope with limited delays to development work, according to the Education Council's president.

Deputy Martin Ozanne's comments come in a response to fears that potential building hold-ups could make it hard for existing school buildings to accommodate new pupils.

Grammar School headteacher Dennis Balls warned on Monday that he may have to start turning post-16 students away if the introduction of a sixth form centre is delayed.

Deputy Ozanne said building plans are designed to take some stoppages into account.

We're able to cope for the foreseeable future, but the growth is there Deputy Martin Ozanne

The Grammar School has had to find five extra classrooms to accommodate the demand for this year and anticipates up to 10 extra pupils next year.

But Mr Balls said the year group starting sixth form in two years time is larger and any delay will mean some students will have to be turned away because of lack of additional space.

A planned sixth form centre is due to be completed for September 2005.

Deputy Ozanne said the States have accepted the demand for funding, so long as legitimate tenders for the development are submitted and accepted.

However, he also admitted that although plans are designed for some stoppages, any major delays could be more of a challenge.

But Deputy Ozanne said there are enough facilities at the moment.

He said: "We're able to cope for the foreseeable future, but the growth is there.

"We have to keep to our programme, and that's what we're intending to do."