, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Curriculum for Wales provides a rich and broad curriculum for every child, ensuring that every child develops the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enable them to progress to their full potential, regardless of their background. It treats every…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
As I was saying to Adam Price earlier—in response to Adam Price—although we've not been able to increase the value of it, we have been able to maximise the current offer. So, we've expanded the eligible cohort to include some of those most vulnerable young…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, as the Member knows, and acknowledges, we do everything we can to ensure that the resources available are provided to help those who need them most in our education system. In terms of the commitment to maintain the EMA, that's part of our programme for…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
There is a range of additional support measures provided to post-16 learners in receipt of education maintenance allowance. These are measures provided by the Welsh Government through their college or school. These include free or subsidised travel, free…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I thank the Member for raising that point. In terms of the broader point, the point that she makes in this context, as was the case with the previous question, is quite proper in terms of how important transport is to accessing education. But because of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, as the Member will know, we had an opportunity in last week's autumn statement to see budgets for public services, across the UK, responding to the challenge of inflation that has affected Wales and the whole of the UK generally. But that is not what we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
I'm not sure what point the Member is trying to make; what I heard was a list of criticisms of our school system. I think her time would be better spent, if I may put it to her, finding ways to scrutinise me in a way that puts forward a positive alternative…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I'm not sure the Member heard my previous answer. The purpose of this scheme is to make sure that young people are able to access the full range of the curriculum. As well as the broader objectives I referred to earlier, we are clear in our commitment…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I think the Member has rather missed the point. What the curriculum is designed to do is to make sure that our young people have a rounded education and that they are ethical and informed citizens when they leave our education system, understanding…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I think, just for clarity, the proposal, as I understand it, was never formally made. It appears to have been a suggestion made in a committee discussion, which obviously has become a matter in the public domain, but it was never a formal proposal, as I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
It is vital that high-quality, face-to-face learning is maintained for all learners whenever it is possible and safe to do so. Any transition to remote learning should be the last resort and only happen in exceptional circumstances, such as, for example…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
I thank Jenny Rathbone for that question. They can expect our commitment to further education to continue; I was determined that we would reflect that commitment in our budget settlement for this year. So, for the 2022-23 year, you will see investment of over…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
I thank Vikki Howells for drawing attention to the good work happening in Capcoch school in Abercwmboi. The PDG—access grant that we make available in Wales has, I hope, made a significant difference to many families, at least many lower income families…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
I thank Joel James for drawing attention to this issue. It was one of the key areas of priority for us during the COVID pandemic for the very important reason that he gives—to make sure that inability to afford digital equipment or connectivity didn't pose a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Thank you to Heledd Fychan for that supplementary question, and this is a very fair point to raise, and it is a challenging situation, as the Member said. I visited Llanishen school recently to discuss with a group of pupils, including a Member of the Youth…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Our pupil development grant—access provides funding directly to eligible families for the purchase of uniform, kit and other school supplies. I announced an additional one-off payment of £100 to all children and young people eligible for PDG—access this year…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
I don't think I have anything to add from my point of view, Chair. Thank you very much.
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
We’ve touched a little bit earlier on the student charter work with HEFCW, so I won’t repeat any of that, but just to say that a critical part of that is the signposting to other support that's available. Clearly, having those things in place is a start—it's…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
Just to say there are students who do time out in work as well, aren't there? So, there are different student experiences, which, if we are able to make progress in this area, we would want to try and reflect in that. I think, from an institutional point of…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
Not with anything new; just to echo that, really. I think the only thing to add from my point of view is that the information we'll be getting now through institutions for December of this year to HEFCW will also enable us to have a clear picture of what's…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
I think that point about transitions is the key point, really, isn't it? Because we know that that, as I was saying earlier, is a point that is particularly anxious for students and can cause poor mental health. I guess the first advantage of the new…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
I'd be interested to hear what the committee's conclusions are on that.
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
I had a meeting with Orla Tarn, who explained some of the factors that you have been discussing with me just now. Of course, we acknowledge and recognise clearly the pressures in terms of cost of living on students and staff too, and the pressures that are on…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
Well, the first thing to note is that universities already employ staff on long-term contracts. So, that is already happening. So, it is possible for universities to do that with regard to mental health, as it is in any other part of their responsibilities…
, Children, Young People, and Education Committee
Mental health support in higher education—evidence session 9
Well, the main way of doing that will be through the registration conditions and terms. Every organisation or institution that is registered will need to ensure that they achieve that aim in terms of conditions and terms for being on the register in the first…
