Heledd Fychan: 8. How will the Welsh Government ensure that Welsh-medium education is accessible to all children and communities, especially in Wales's most deprived areas? OQ56602
Heledd Fychan: Thank you. I know that the Minister is aware of a campaign in my area in terms of Welsh-medium education, specifically in the north of Pontypridd, where campaigners tried to persuade the local council to consider alternative options, rather than the option that's being taken forward, which will move access to Welsh-medium education further from the communities of Ynysybwl, Glyncoch and...
Heledd Fychan: ...of all, at a strategic level, it will lead to increased resilience for the future workforce, providing opportunities that increase the skills, experiences and confidence of people. Secondly, for schools and colleges, it will mean that the voice of young people will be incorporated into college activity, and, thirdly, in terms of the ambassadors themselves, it will lead to the development...
Heledd Fychan: ..., for those who don't own a car, or are unable to drive because of age or a medical condition, and rely on buses to get to work, to medical appointments, to go shopping, to take their children to school or to socialise, it can severely impact on their lives. And though there is a specific problem with bus services in rural areas, I think we need to be honest that this is a widespread...
Heledd Fychan: ...referred to the Urdd, and I would like to echo our thanks that the Urdd has committed to providing sanctuary, and that they are also going to arrange a range of activities—sporting, cultural and educational—to support these families as they settle. We saw the value of that, in terms of how communities can resettle here in Wales, over the summer, with interviews through the medium of...
Heledd Fychan: .... So, it's really a plea for us all to work together to ensure that these are in every community, that they should be in every sports club and so on, and I think Janet's suggestion in terms of each school is also a very valid point, although those can, of course, be very far from communities and not be as accessible as some of our town centres. Therefore, I hope we could all work together...
Heledd Fychan: ...and indicators to measure progress. And, of course, there are a whole host of other policies that we can bring into power that will make a difference, including expanding eligibility for free school meals to all children in poverty, or all children in Wales, as we would like to see, and the Government must maintain the flexibility of the discretionary assistance fund to mitigate the impact...
Heledd Fychan: ...mental health of people living in communities that have already been impacted by these changes and live in fear of being impacted again. I know that Delyth Jewell raised this with the Minister for education earlier, but I would like to see that emphasis on support available and wondered is there any funding available to support people’s mental health in at-risk communities as part of...
Heledd Fychan: What are the Welsh Government's priorities for nursery education?
Heledd Fychan: ...’t enough to solve the debt crisis in Wales. That’s why, as part of our motion, we have proposed exploring the possibility of legislation that would place a duty on all public bodies, including schools and colleges, to prevent debt. Adopting a progressive policy approach to debt management would be able to prohibit public bodies from adopting practices that increase debt. For example,...
Heledd Fychan: ...board boundaries contacting me for support, having been waiting for over two years for such an assessment. This means that we have young people in their teenage years who will be finishing their education before getting that assessment, which will mean that they will miss out entirely on crucial support at a crucial time in their lives. Can we have an update in the new term from the...
Heledd Fychan: ...learn lessons in all sorts of ways, not just in terms of the health sector and care sector, but, similar to the scope in Scotland, look at all of the impact of COVID and actions taken in terms of education and so on. So, therefore, my plea is simple: we need to ensure that families who have suffered bereavement and continue to suffer bereavement get the answers they need and deserve, but...
Heledd Fychan: Trefnydd, on 7 January, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language issued a written statement in relation to additional funding for additional learning needs provision, which of course is much needed and very welcome. However, linked to this is also the additional funding needed for neurological assessments for children and young people, so that they can be identified as needing...
Heledd Fychan: ...it clear that the intention is that examinations should proceed this year, and I was pleased to see you recognising the disquiet of learners and staff, and the problems that they've faced in our schools and colleges over the past two years. You encouraged all students in exam years to speak to their schools and colleges about what additional support and flexibility could be available this...
Heledd Fychan: ...in addition that you announced earlier this month for providing further support for children and young people with additional learning needs who have been affected by the pandemic, and to help educational settings as learners start to the move to the new additional learning needs system. However, although funding is available, and local authorities do have to provide support in the...
Heledd Fychan: ...recently, the Urdd played a prominent role in supporting refugees from Afghanistan, as well as ensuring access to the Urdd for all by offering membership for £1 to young people in receipt of free school meals. As the organisation evolves, millions of children and young people in Wales have benefited from its work. And because of this evolution, the organisation is as important and...
Heledd Fychan: ...the vital support that they need. However, even though COVID has brought additional challenges, it is important today that we also acknowledge that things weren’t perfect before the pandemic. Schools' budgets were already under pressure, and, as we all know, child poverty continues to be a pressing problem that impacts learners. And listening to Laura Jones talking about children being...
Heledd Fychan: ...difference in per-pupil funding between Wales and England. In terms of recovery funding, let's get our facts straight: the Welsh Government has allocated a further £38 million in 2022-23 for the education sector’s response to the pandemic, which follows around £190 million in 2021-22 and £220 million in 2020-21. While this level of funding is less than what some experts warn is...
Heledd Fychan: I would now like to turn to the Plaid Cymru amendments. We know that one of the key ways that we can decrease the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant, in schools, colleges and early years settings is to ensure that they are well ventilated. Good ventilation prevents the virus from remaining in the air and infecting people. A number of parts of school buildings are already well...
Heledd Fychan: The pandemic and subsequent school closures have had a devastating effect on the mental health of children and young people. Parents have said that, among children and young people, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, eating disorders, excessive exercise and anxiety all started as a result of uncertainty about school life, school work, exams and fear during the pandemic. Children now need...
