The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
WQ.429/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR EDUCATION BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2020
Question
"Will the Minister outline what plans are in progress to ensure the repatriation of students studying outside the Island who wish to return to Jersey in time for Christmas; and, furthermore, what provision, if any, will be made for those returning students who are required to self-isolate on arrival in Jersey, but who are not able to do so at the accommodation they would ordinarily be returning to?"
Answer
Officials have been working on a number of key issues to facilitate the return of students who need assistance and last Wednesday 11/11/2020 the Competent Authority Ministers agreed three key enabling sets of actions.
- A revised policy on testing that will be as effective as the current one, while slightly reducing the self- isolation period. Further details on this policy will be announced this week. This will support their mental and physical health, provide reassurance for family members, and not result in any student or their family having to endure living in cramped or isolated conditions as they separate from their families for any longer than is medically necessary.
- Secondly, there was agreement to put in place contingency plans in respect of possible extra flights which take into account the publication of new guidance by the UK Government in respect of student travel from English Universities once the lockdown in England ends on the 2 December. The guidance describes a "student travel window" which will be in place from Thursday 3 to Wednesday 9 December (inclusive).
- A recommendation to make available self-isolation accommodation for students who cannot undertake this in the family home. Students will need to meet a set of eligibility criteria, which are under development, and a small team from the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills will be mobilised to support this process and to ensure both the welfare of isolating students and their compliance with self-isolation guidance. Demand will be assessed through the student surveys and the contract with the provider will allow for the numbers of units required to be flexed up and down, dependent upon the level of service needed.
The Department will continue to assist Higher Education students generally through its Student Finance Service.
Following on from the UK announcements last week and Jersey's planned response, we will be contacting students this week to gather further information through a survey to enable us to confirm both travel and arrival arrangements in Jersey. Students will have one week to complete this survey.