, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
This is a very, very important matter, and I absolutely applaud the Member for her consistent and, if I may say so, expert advocacy of this issue, both in the Chamber and beyond. Schools have the option, as she says in her question, to use biometric systems…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
From our meeting in December, you will, I know, be aware that we can't legally prevent schools from collecting and using biometric data. However, as a consequence of the discussions and the issues that the Member helped us understand better, officials are…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I will need to remind myself in a different context of the statutory underpinning of some of the points that the Member raises in her question and some of the particular questions of detail around governance that she refers to, and I'm very happy to do…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Can I just comment on the first point that the Member makes in relation to our ambitions for the education system in Wales? And I agree with her that the principle that underpins the higher education system in Wales is much more progressive than the ones that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I dispute the point that the Member makes in terms of the general lack of teachers in our system. I don't think that's a remotely fair reflection of the situation that we are in, but I would associate myself with the sentiment in her question about how…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
I agree with the challenge that the Member describes in terms of recruitment. We have, of course, got an incentive scheme to encourage teachers into subjects such as some of the ones that she's referred to, which have been challenging in terms of recruitment…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I would dispute the impression that the question gives, I'm afraid, which is that this is a Wales-specific challenge. That doesn't make it any less of a challenge in Wales, but it does tell us something about the nature of the challenge, which is that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, universities have provided a range of different means by which students can continue their education, even in the very, very challenging circumstances of the last two years, in fact. And that has involved offering a blended approach, which I'm sure none…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I've already made my expectations clear to the sector. It's important that the negotiations do reach a settlement that reflects the contribution and the interests of the staff. That's very important in terms of ensuring HE provision, but also in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Universities of course are autonomous bodies, independent of Government, and they are responsible for their own administrative affairs. The Welsh Government Ministers have no authority to intervene in those discussions, but we hope they will reach a happy…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
—as being a particular concern for many of us in this Chamber. I know from the discussions that we've had in a private setting that she shares many of those concerns as well. I would dispute the figures that you've given in relation to housing provision, and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Well, I think the question was a model of cross-Government scrutiny, in terms—[Interruption.]—in terms of its breadth and its scope, which is commendable. I think somewhat at odds with the comments I heard the Member made this morning about the proposals that…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
I would, if I may, just associate myself entirely with the sentiment in the question; I couldn't agree more with the world view that you've described in your question. It is fantastic that 86 per cent of adults in Wales have pride in the Welsh language…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Yesterday I published the 'Cymraeg 2050' annual report for the 2020-21 financial year, which shows progress against our targets. Once the results of the 2021 census have been published, we'll revisit the statistical trajectory towards a million Welsh…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Cymraeg 2050—The next steps
I thank Alun Davies for those questions and of course for his fundamental work in stating this policy during his time as Minister for the Welsh language. I do agree entirely with him in terms of how important is not just the ability, but, of course, the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Cymraeg 2050—The next steps
I thank Heledd Fychan for the range of questions. I'll try my best to answer them as best I can. In terms of the challenge that COVID has posed, she is right to say that that has meant that some experiences have been positive—that is, people learning Welsh…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Cymraeg 2050—The next steps
Could I thank Samuel Kurtz for the constructive way in which he dealt with the question, and the fact that he reminds us how short-lived ministerial careers can be. [Laughter.] So, I thank you greatly for that. But Samuel Kurtz made some very important points…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Cymraeg 2050—The next steps
Thank you, Llywydd. Today, I present the annual report on our language strategy, 'Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers', for the 2020-21 financial year, the final year of our previous Government. Before I start today, I’d like to pay tribute to Aled…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Exploring reform of the school day and year
Well, on the—. The Member's question is focused largely on the school year. I think, just to be clear, at this point we're at the stage of gathering the range of voices, if you like; the next step will be to see what the conclusion is of that process, and…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Exploring reform of the school day and year
I thank the Member for the questions. In terms of the evidence, you are right to talk about the EPI evidence, which is one of the sources of evidence, as you acknowledged in your question. There is a variety of examples from other sources, including…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Exploring reform of the school day and year
Thank you, Laura Anne Jones, for your welcome for this set of trials. I think, as you say, when you talk about reinventing the wheel, we're trying to reinvent a system that has been in place in some ways for a very long time. But you are right to say that…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Exploring reform of the school day and year
Schools, including learners, have designed these activities, and we have also worked closely with the WLGA to provide an on-the-ground adviser to support the schools involved, to provide expertise and to help lessen the workload. The last two years have shown…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Exploring reform of the school day and year
Dirprwy Lywydd, in our mission to ensure an education system that delivers high standards and aspirations for all our learners, every policy, every decision of this Government can help tackle the impact of poverty on our young people's ability and chances to…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
Our aim throughout has been to maximise learning and to minimise disruption for our young people, and we haven't done that alone, of course. All our partners, all education staff in Wales, I want to thank for their extraordinary efforts over the course of the…
, Plenary
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The impact of COVID on education
That includes the use of face coverings, and I worry that Laura Anne Jones's view on that so often is simply, 'For Wales, see England'. Advocating the approach of the Government for England in relation to face coverings seems especially reckless on a day when…
