Local students hold special debate in 26th annual Jersey Youth Assembly
26 March 2024
Jersey's 26th Annual Youth Assembly took place in the States Chamber this afternoon (Tuesday 26 March) from 1.30pm. Teams of students from Jersey College for Girls, Beaulieu Convent School, and Hautlieu School posed questions to Ministers and debated topics of their choice.
Questions for Ministers
The students' questions for Ministers covered areas including lowering the age for mammogram screenings, modernising the education curriculum, and aid in Gaza.
Watch from 5 minutes into this afternoon's recording to hear the questions to Ministers.
Questions for the Chief Minister
The students then posed questions without notice for 15 minutes to the Chief Minister, including the following:
- Does the Minister have any strategies to decrease the cost of living?
- Does the Minister plan to create a new Government Plan, or to keep the previous Government's plan?
- Does the Minister have any plans of increasing pay for teachers and other key workers, for example nurses?
The Chief Minister was asked a total of 21 questions during this period.
Watch from 1 hour and 13 minutes into this afternoon's recording to hear the questions to the Chief Minister.
Public Business
Compulsory education to 18
Jade Carreau, Jersey College for Girls, proposed that Jersey should introduce mandatory education or training until the age of 18.
The Youth Assembly voted to APPROVE the proposition with 9 votes for, 5 votes against, and 1 abstention.
Go to 1 hour and 39 minutes into this afternoon's recording to watch the debate.
Support tourism through additional finance tax
Sienna Springett, Beaulieu, proposed that supporting tourism should be made a priority for the Island and be funded through an increase in tax on finance companies.
The Youth Assembly voted to APPROVE the proposition with 9 votes for, 0 votes against, and 7 abstentions.
Go to 1 hour and 52 minutes into this afternoon's recording to watch the debate.
Ban tobacco and vapes for those born after 2009
Tara Battrick, Beaulieu, on behalf of Victoria College Jersey, proposed that the Government should ban anyone born after 2009 from being able to purchase tobacco or vapes.
The Youth Assembly voted to APPROVE the proposition with 8 votes for, 5 votes against, and 3 abstentions.
Go to 2 hours and 1 minute into this afternoon's recording to watch the debate.
Euthanasia should be legalised
Maria Stugariu, Hautlieu, proposed that euthanasia should be legalised to provide individuals with the right to die with dignity.
The Youth Assembly voted to REJECT the proposition with 5 votes for, 9 votes against, and 1 abstention.
Go to 2 hours and 14 minutes into this afternoon's recording to watch the debate.
32 speeches were made overall by the students during the debates.
The Youth Assembly then adjourned. The full recording of the Assembly can be accessed through Public-i.
