Siân Gwenllian: I'm sure that non-Welsh-speaking parents specifically will appreciate those developments. We know that there is concern that they're unable to support their children fully during this period. So, to take that discussion a little further, what conversations have you had with the education Minister on this issue, on those specific concerns that exist around the Welsh-medium sector, and do you...
Siân Gwenllian: 7. What assessment has the Minister made of the effect of the proposed curriculum Bill on the Welsh language? OQ55382
Siân Gwenllian: I know that the last thing that you want to see is that the new curriculum would have a detrimental impact in terms of your Government's ambition to reach 1 million Welsh speakers, or, indeed, that it would undermine your efforts in any way. Indeed, any Minister for the Welsh language would seek the opportunity to strengthen the position of the Welsh language through this new legislation. But...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, Llywydd. The past few months have forced each and every one of us to look afresh at what is most important to us. It has also, unfortunately, highlighted the injustice and inequality that still pervade our society. Before too long, we, as a legislature, will undertake the important work of scrutinising one of the most important pieces of legislation to come before this...
Siân Gwenllian: The Government has already accepted that certain elements of the curriculum should be made statutory within legislation in order to guarantee that certain elements are given deserved attention and delivered to all pupils without exception. It stands to reason that it's the responsibility of national government to put robust provision in place in legislation to safeguard children. And the...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, and I thank everyone for their contributions this afternoon. I do think that it's very timely for us to have this debate before the Bill begins its journey through the Senedd. And, certainly, we will have other issues that we will also wish to scrutinise as the curriculum progresses, including the issues that Darren Millar raised on education related to various religions,...
Siân Gwenllian: In favour.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: Against.
Siân Gwenllian: 6. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's discussions regarding the 94 jobs that are under threat at the Northwood Hygiene Products factory in Penygroes in the Arfon constituency? OQ55424
Siân Gwenllian: I thank your Government for being so willing to provide assistance and to support the alternative proposal by the workforce in Penygroes, but unfortunately, as you have said, the company has rejected that opportunity for commercial reasons and they are making the 94 staff redundant, which is a huge blow. But we must continue to seek to find alternative use for the site. So, thank you for...
Siân Gwenllian: May I ask for a statement from the Deputy Minister for children and social services on child play schemes for children over the summer months? Whilst welcoming the fact that there will be provision for vulnerable children, it's very disappointing that there won't be spaces available for the children of key workers. The work of these children's parents is still central to the efforts to put...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Llywydd, and I thank the education Minister for being willing to meet virtually on a weekly basis during this time of crisis. It's been most beneficial that we've been able to have those meetings and to have that discussion. Forgive me, but I am going to return to the issue of schools in September, because this is something that is very much alive in the minds of headteachers,...
Siân Gwenllian: Headteachers will be pleased to hear that there is information on its way, but it's very late in the day; the schools only have a week left to prepare. Looking forward to September, what will your plans be in order to ensure that the attainment gap doesn't widen as a result of this crisis? Will the funding announced by the UK Government Prime Minister be spent on a mitigation programme? Plaid...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you. Thirty million isn't going to go particularly far, despite some major announcements made by the Tories in England recently. Now, the digital divide is another issue that has emerged during the pandemic—the digital disadvantage that certain students and pupils have faced in terms of devices and connectivity. One survey that I’ve seen recently from the Llandrillo Menai Group...
