, Plenary
Statement by Sam Rowlands—Introduction of a Member-proposed Bill: Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
So, while I commend the Member’s Bill in its intentions, and I share his commitment, I would like to ask him to explain to the Senedd what services he would propose to cut in order to pay for his proposals. Much of those services directly benefit the learners…
, Plenary
Statement by Sam Rowlands—Introduction of a Member-proposed Bill: Residential Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I start by recognising the contribution that residential outdoor learning can bring to the development and well-being of our young people? I have very fond memories myself of that as a child, and I have seen at first-hand in my…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I agree with what the Member says. She's right to say that there is a specific challenge in the primary sector. Therefore, the Open University programme is specifically focused on creating capacity in primary schools, and that's the purpose of that programme…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government has a clear vision and strategy to support modern foreign language learning in Wales. The 'Global Futures' strategic plan to 2025, launched last November, sets out how we will improve provision and promote international languages in Wales.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
We continue to keep these issues under review, and we have invested over three academic years to support postgraduate training for local authority-based teachers of learners with sensory impairment, which includes teachers for the deaf. Teachers of the deaf…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government is taking action through our education reforms so that all learners, including those with communication needs, can access education that enables them to reach their potential. For disabled pupils with additional learning needs, the ALN…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Yes, I'm very happy to tell the Member that the first meeting of the national attendance taskforce is taking place on Monday of next week, and that will be an opportunity and a recognition, I think, that the range of partners around that table—all of whom in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, let me reassure the Member that I have already looked at the scheme, and I think it is a scheme that delivers for families right across Wales, many of whom might not be eligible for free school meals but are still finding it very, very difficult, and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, the Member knows that work is already going on to look at the arrangements for school transport. A review has happened of the Measure already, and I'm meeting with the Minister for Climate Change in the coming days to discuss the results of that review…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Among other things, our schools essential grant has made a significant difference to many low-income families across Wales, helping to reduce the worries surrounding the purchase of school uniform and equipment, for example. Funding of £2.5 million has been…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
That scheme sounds like a very interesting development, and I'd like to find out more about it. So, if she'd care to share some of that information with me, I'd be grateful.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, just to echo the point that the Member makes, I had the opportunity of being able to speak at the launch of the report that he refers to, and it's a report that certainly Members should read. I thought that it had some very salutary recommendations and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Building strong and successful relationships between employers, colleges and schools to support learners in their next steps is essential to improving their job prospects and to help them understand the values that local employers have, and we have a number…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Yes, I absolutely would endorse that. In the discussions that I have from time to time with the third sector in relation to their contribution to our school curriculum, one of the discussions that we have is how we can facilitate those connections between…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I absolutely will. I thank Jack Sargeant for highlighting the fantastic work that Tŷ Ffynnon primary school is doing. It’s a reminder, isn’t it, that our history in Wales is a history both of princes and also of radicals, and that richness and the fullness of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I think the Member makes an important point. I think that the description that he has given can be an important part of that sense of cynefin, which is one of the founding concepts of the curriculum—that sense of belonging to the history, but also to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Llywydd, I understand you've given permission for question 3 and question 9 to be grouped. Everyone should learn about, and critically engage with, the history of their local area and of our country. That is why, within the Curriculum for Wales, it is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
That’s a very important question, and it's really important, I think, to ensure not only that there is an equal offer between sixth forms and colleges, but also in terms of the prosperity of the Welsh language in the local economy. Many people going to the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Yes, it is a concern, and it’s important that we do publish these figures and that we can have this kind of discussion that we’re having today, and to do that in a transparent way. So, that is a step forward, I think. The Member is right to say that there is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I don't know quite how many times to put this, but the Member makes a case that is entirely unfounded. The number of points that she makes that are not borne out by reality is a new level, even for her. What I will accept is that there are heads right across…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I certainly don’t accept your characterisation of it. The situation in which we are working through the Welsh Government is one in which we are experiencing the direct consequences of a—. And she invites me to compare the position in Wales and England and she…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, I hope the Member will not want to have said anything that misrepresents what we've done this year, because, in fact, school budgets have not been cut this year. As she will know from our previous exchanges in relation to this, the in-year reductions…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, I agree with the broad point the Member makes in relation to the impact of COVID on standards of literacy, numeracy and attainment generally in our schools; it has had a very detrimental impact. At the time, we were very clear as a Government that every…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
We've provided significant investment for family engagement officers, with funding this year totalling £6.5 million. This is in addition to the £2.5 million provided to the education welfare service this year, to provide much-needed additional capacity.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
That's a very valid question. I'm very concerned about this situation, and the Member's right to say that there has been a reduction, and a significant reduction in some modern foreign languages. The challenges facing German learning is a specific one, and I…
