David Melding: ...practice is also very important, but social distancing is really crucial. I think that we should be grateful to the professionalism of our teaching staff and the whole staff in complimenting schools, because we have not had the sort of transmission events that we've seen in higher education. Now, I realise that they are not comparable directly, but they are the same in that there are lots...
David Melding: 3. What steps are being taken to ensure that schools are adhering to social distancing guidelines? OQ55742
David Melding: What measures have been implemented to ensure social distancing in schools?
David Melding: I call the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams.
David Melding: Item 17 is the Children, Young People and Education Committee debate on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on children and young people in Wales. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion. Lynne Neagle.
David Melding: ...of all ages—. There's a sport for everyone to play; that's the wonder of it. But also, for our children and young people, having sporting opportunities is so important, and it's not all based at school; it needs to be based in the community as well. So, I'm delighted to commend this report, and we're very grateful, Deputy Presiding Officer, that time has been given to discussing this...
David Melding: ..., and I do hope the links will continue, as they've been led by the Senedd. Also, I commend the work of the Welsh Government in taking opportunities to promote awareness of Srebrenica through the education curriculum, for instance. We all have our part to play in defending a strong democracy, which can only flourish based on cultural tolerance and the celebration of diverse cultures and...
David Melding: ...Minister make a statement in response to calls made by Barnardo's Cymru and Action for Children Cymru for additional mental health and emotional support for vulnerable children as they return to school?
David Melding: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the materials and resources available to teach Welsh history in schools? OAQ55267
David Melding: ...'s exhibition on the Celtic civilisation, and it ended 200 or 300 years too early it seemed to me, because the Celtic civilisation still flourishes: we see it in the eisteddfod; we see it in our school policy to encourage Welsh-medium education; we see it in the aim to have 1 million Welsh speakers and we see it in the Mabinogion—there has been yet another magnificent translation in the...
David Melding: ...in Wales. Wales was one of the few places after the second world war where technical colleges really did take off. It was one of the failures of the reforms of that time that technical education did not gain the sort of prominence that more academic approaches did. But, in Wales, we did actually do well in that sector, and we've seen our FE colleges take that tradition forward. But Paul...
David Melding: ...anti-poverty programmes in trying to turn back that economic tide. And then in his speech, he went on to show how specific approaches could bring great benefits—back-to-work training schemes, educational attainment and many others. So, I wasn't quite sure where you were at the end of your contribution, Mike, but I did think it did display what coherent and focused community regeneration...
David Melding: ...briefing note, reminding us that, in Wales, the new curriculum will allow for one of the seven areas of learning and experience to focus on health and well-being. I do welcome this, because I think schooling is all about, as well as enabling our young people to get the best possible education for productive outcomes, making them healthy citizens, and we should never forget that. One good...
David Melding: ...than when that was last measured, I think three years ago. So, I think that is something that we all need to reflect on. We want our children and young people to be as happy as possible in the school environment. It's such an important part of life after all. [Interruption.] I've only just started, but I will give way.
David Melding: ...the Government, rightly, got a lot of criticism across the sector because of that. Can I just say now more positively that, in our 'Liveable Cities' document, we also looked at the situation around schools in particular, because we think we can move here very quickly? Jayne Bryant mentioned idling cars—the whole issue of dropping off children immediately at the school, creating a huge...
David Melding: ...student will have about which course to enrol in and where to study, autistic students typically need to take into account other factors, such as the environment, social opportunities and special education needs support of any particular university and, indeed, a particular course at a university. According to the National Autistic Society, education, health and care planning is key, and...
David Melding: 3. Will the First Minister make a statement on the number of people with autism who are studying in higher education in Wales? OAQ54803
David Melding: ...UK to understand how pancreatic cancer cells develop, with the aim of developing diagnostic tools for the future. So, we have a proud record also in Wales and in our universities and medical schools, and that's something, I think, that we need to contribute and ensure that we take that to its maximum extent and back it as well. But getting those major funding sources and bringing them into...
David Melding: ...18, that was 9.6 per cent of children, and this year 9.2 per cent are getting three or more placements. That's really not acceptable and we need to ensure that that figure comes down. If we look at educational attainment at key stage 2, the indicator is met by 60.2 per cent of children, or was last year. This year, that's gone down a little bit to 58.3. But at key stage 4, when we're often...
David Melding: ...that we take on, which come with very considerable time commitments. And we do that as part of service that enriches our vocation here. I am a longstanding member of two governing bodies of special schools, for instance. So, I think the point is that we have got to be careful about using law—it's the most dramatic thing that we can do—to restrict the right of the electorate to make the...
