Education argues funding the colleges widens inequality in secondary education and is an unfair allocation of government money.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, who heads up the education committee, recognises that the idea of removing funding for Elizabeth and Ladies College and Blanchelande may well divide the community and it is likely to have the same effect in the Assembly:

"I look forward to an open and transparent debate before Easter, which I hope will focus on facts, data and analysis, rather than using this emotive issue as a political pawn; our school children are too important for that.

"The Committee has been persuaded by evidence and research that it is not in the taxpayers’ interests to continue subsidising the private education sector on the island in the long term, which we can see is widening the attainment gap between our islands’ young people.”

The Education Committee will press for the £2.85M grant to be gradually phased out. It is due for renewal next year and representatives from the States and the three colleges have tried to work out a mutually acceptable solution, without success.

Deputy Andy Cameron, a member of the education committee, says evidence suggests that continuing to pay the colleges a States grant is no longer the best use of resources:

“This Policy Letter is about widening the discussion about ensuring that all children on the island receive a fair start in life.

"Whilst the Colleges are all exploring building new facilities, the Committee would propose using this money to support children currently in the States system who don’t have access to anywhere near the Colleges’ level of support and facilities.

"I cannot stress enough the stark difference reallocating some of this money will make, and at the same time we can deliver a saving for the public purse.”

Deputy Sue Aldwell from the education committee says the move is about the best use of taxpayers' money:

“This debate is not about questioning the role of the Colleges and the valuable contribution they make to the island. It's a fact that when the States made the decision to remove the 11+ meaning there were no more States-funded College students, the Colleges then replaced them with fee-paying students.

"The Colleges feared loss of income has not materialised. Meanwhile, the overall grant-aid from the States to the Colleges has risen way beyond inflation." 

It is accepted that pupils at the colleges often excel in exams and the institutions say they take the strain off numbers in States' schools.

The policy letter will be published on Monday 17 February.