Siân Gwenllian: There has been a small increase across the three domains—maths, reading and science—since 2015, which is encouraging. In comparison with 2006, there has been a small increase in maths and reading, but a reduction in science. Now, we must bear in mind that there had been a decline in the three areas in 2009 and 2012, and we are only now getting back to the position of 2006. It is good to...
Siân Gwenllian: I would like to pay tribute to Welsh pupils for all of their hard work, as well as to thank all the staff and teachers for their unstinting efforts in ensuring that our young people do achieve. The PISA international tests are one way of measuring progress, but we must use the data wisely, and I look forward to having an opportunity to analyse the content carefully over the next few days and...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, and I look forward to seeing the 'Siarter Iaith framework' given its proper place in the next version of the Welsh curriculum. I must say that I am very supportive of some of the ideas of the consultation on the regulations—the move towards targets is to be welcomed, the shift in focus from reactive developments, namely measuring demand from parents, to being proactive...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, and I am very pleased that you’re persevering with those efforts, and I very much hope that those discussions with the council will bear fruit very soon. In turning now to the language charter, which is an innovative scheme that increases the use of the Welsh language outside the classroom, there is strong evidence that it is successful, but the 'Siarter Iaith...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you, Llywydd. I would like to discuss your recent written statement announcing the results of the consultation to amend regulations on the Welsh in education strategic plans. Seeing specific movement towards change is positive indeed, and we do need meaningful planning in order to develop Welsh-medium education across the country, and there’s a long way to go. The recent situation...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. I warmly welcome the publication of this first annual report. When I was a county councillor, I had the privilege of chairing a corporate parent panel for Gwynedd Council, and I clearly remember the detailed responsibilities on county councillors to take action for the benefit of children in care in accordance with training as if it were my own child, and there is a duty...
Siân Gwenllian: Some of my constituents have been to see me recently to talk about an exciting proposal to create an environmental centre in Snowdonia. The aim of the International Earth Resources Centre would be to use the latest scientific research to help people understand the effect that they're having on the world and what steps we can take to mitigate. But it appears that there is some slowness in your...
Siân Gwenllian: Wales participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment tests for the first time in 2006, and the latest set of results is to be published next week. As you know, the Welsh scores in the last round in 2015 were lower than the scores in 2006 in all areas, and the Welsh results in that year were also lower than the results of the other three nations of the United Kingdom, and...
Siân Gwenllian: It's clear to me—and I know that you disagree with this—that cases such as these mean that we need to revisit legislation relating to the Welsh language in the private sector. One area where the current legislation allows you to act today to promote workforces where staff can work through the medium of Welsh and safeguard their rights to use the Welsh language unhindered is in the...
Siân Gwenllian: Great. Thank you very much, and I'm pleased that there is a consensus on this matter, and I really hope that this issue will be resolved positively. I would like to wish those students who are trying to push this ahead well. I'd like to turn to another field now. On Monday evening, the Welsh Language Commissioner published a report in which he determines that workers in a factory in Ammanford...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. Last year, Undeb Myfyrwyr Cymraeg Caerdydd was launched, a significant development in terms of the Welsh language in the field of higher education, and I had a meeting yesterday with two of the union's leaders, Wil Rees and Jacob Morris. Last autumn, there was strong support by Cardiff University students in their annual meeting for the next step, which was to create an...
Siân Gwenllian: Last week, there was confirmation that the situation with the Transport for Wales Pacers still hasn't been resolved, and if no agreement is reached, then there is a risk that some of them may have to be withdrawn from our railways, and that will, obviously, mean that services will decline for the people of Wales. So, can I just give your Government a word of warning? Don't think that you can...
Siân Gwenllian: 1. Will the First Minister provide an update on train services across north Wales? OAQ54704
Siân Gwenllian: I speak as Plaid Cymru spokesperson on the Welsh language. It would be wonderful if we, the Members of the fifth Assembly, could state clearly today that 'Senedd Cymru' should be the name of our national Senedd, and that the term 'Senedd Cymru' should be used from here on in. If we fail to do so, then I believe that we will miss a historic opportunity, and we will be making a mistake, and...
Siân Gwenllian: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's intention to introduce these new rotas had caused huge controversy locally, and that is entirely understandable. And I'm extremely pleased that there has been a change of heart now—we heard of it only around an hour ago. Had this gone ahead, it would have been exceptionally damaging and would have taken advantage of those nurses who do work so very...
Siân Gwenllian: Certainly, yes. This long-term planning is vital to avoid situations such as that in the future. And that’s why I’m so pleased—if truth be told, I went to visit the 18 students in Bangor being trained at the moment, and it’s wonderful to see that, but we need that to increase and to accelerate as well. There's a lack of dentists as well, which is creating problems in terms of access...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. It’s encouraging news that 186 training places for GPs have been filled this year, which is an increase on the 136 available in 2017, which happens to be the same figure exactly as the one in 2010. It’s vital that this momentum is maintained and accelerated, as we heard from Helen Mary, in order to develop the vital workforce for the future, so that we can provide...
Siân Gwenllian: Will you take an intervention?
Siân Gwenllian: What I was saying about Brexit, of course, was that Brexit is a threat to the existence of the Welsh language, because it threatens the existence of communities where the Welsh language is the language of everyday life. So, that was why I referred to Brexit.
Siân Gwenllian: I, too, give thanks for this report by the commissioner on the work that has been completed between 2018 and 2019—a period, as we’ve already mentioned, that is a transition period between two commissioners, namely Meri Huws, who has finished, and now Aled Roberts, who will be in post until 2026. And I would like to thank both of them very much for being so willing to meet regularly and to...
