Alun Davies: ...in workless households, parts of the Valleys continue to have high levels of economic inactivity, high levels of deprivation, and high levels of unemployment. This, in turn, has had an impact on educational attainment and long-term health. The impact of the UK Government’s welfare reforms, from the introduction of the bedroom tax to cuts in disability benefits, has been felt most acutely...
Alun Davies: I think the Cabinet Secretary’s clear in her vision and she’s in the Chamber and listening to your comments this afternoon. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and the First Minister made such a statement during the National Eisteddfod, and we as a team of Ministers have been discussing this since that time. I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Education is about to make a statement.
Alun Davies: ...to transforming the expectations, experiences and outcomes for all learners, including those with additional learning needs. The forthcoming introduction of the additional learning needs and education tribunal (Wales) Bill will be a key milestone in the transformation journey that is already under way.
Alun Davies: ...to transforming the expectations, experiences and outcomes for all learners, including those with additional learning needs. The forthcoming introduction of the additional learning needs and education tribunal (Wales) Bill will be a key milestone in the transformation journey that is already under way.
Alun Davies: We are using a variety of methods to promote Welsh-medium education and the opportunities it offers. Ensuring an increase in the number of children in Welsh-medium education in all parts of Wales will be vital if we are to achieve the aim of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Alun Davies: ...certain that I do accept that, because if we do accept that analysis and accept the suggestion that the Plaid Cymru spokesperson is making, then of course we would have one funding system for all schools across Wales. We would be nationalising, if you like, the local schools. I’m not sure that the Member is asking for that. I certainly wouldn’t wish to see that. So, you’re bound to...
Alun Davies: Yes, I do. I know that that is not an adequate response. It’s one thing to list the problems and the challenges facing schools, but it’s quite another thing to resolve them. This Government has resolved problems and faced challenges and then ensured that we can invest in children’s education for the future, and we have done so. Through the kinds of changes that you’ve listed partially...
Alun Davies: ...language belongs to us all. It is our inheritance. It is a part of us all. This is a vision where we each share our country and share our cultures together. I want all of our children to leave school confident in not only understanding the basics of the language, but also the culture that it underpins and the history that has made us the people we are today. I am determined, and this...
Alun Davies: ...authorities, were set out yesterday. Whilst there is no ring-fencing of any specific part of the settlement, we and local government have prioritised funding for essential public services such as education and social care.
