John Griffiths: I do think this is a very worthwhile and significant report that we're discussing today, because education is so vitally important and because history is such a big part and must be such a big part of education. Obviously, all of us need to have as good an understanding as we can arrive at in terms of the history of the world, our local history, our national history, if we're really going to...
John Griffiths: I thank you for that answer, First Minister, and particularly highlighting the very good work taking place in Newport schools, which obviously I'm very familiar with. I recently met with the British Lung Foundation, and the extent of breathing problems I think is now something like one in five people in the UK having breathing difficulties. Obviously, clean air is a key way of ameliorating...
John Griffiths: ...it's approximately 50/50 between men and women for their engineers. So, we know I know already, but this really illustrates the need to change culture, to change mindsets. I know it's an issue for schools and colleges, but for Welsh Government and for all of us, really. Because there are very rewarding careers that are not being accessed by women to the extent that they should be at CAF...
John Griffiths: ...celebrated 10 years in their current building, and, to mark the occasion, a seminar event was held, and discussions were had on the past, present and future of skills in Wales. The value of education and training must not be underestimated. In 2017, there were just over 350,000 16 to 25-year-olds in Wales, and 50 per cent of these were in full-time or part-time education or training....
John Griffiths: Thank you very much, Minister. Welsh in Newport today is far more often heard now than when the Assembly came into existence. Welsh-medium education continues to grow, and pupils in all English-medium schools also learn Welsh. Signage and announcements are bilingual and there are opportunities for adults to learn and use the Welsh language, but the language is still relatively weak and only a...
John Griffiths: ...in life, isn't it? None of us know what life may throw at us, so developing that emotional resilience is so important for the whole of our life course. I'd like to, as have others, highlight a school in my constituency, Somerton primary, which has been recognised by Estyn as showing a very good example in terms of the nurture approach. They've been running nurtureuk's national nurturing...
John Griffiths: I'd like to support those Members who've mentioned education as a priority for Welsh Government expenditure, and I'd very much like to applaud the report by the Children, Young People and Education Committee on school funding. I know the Welsh Government has accepted all of the recommendations, but I think it does set out a very strong case for prioritisation for school funding to a greater...
John Griffiths: ..., indeed, is properly respected and valued. I guess I wouldn't be alone, Dirprwy Lywydd, in seeing echoes of previous debates in the debate that we've heard today. I well remember when I went to school—and I guess there are other Members present in this Chamber today who had similar experiences—there was the cane, there was the ruler, there was the dapper, there were other implements...
John Griffiths: ...that there should be longer term planning and succession planning in terms of future skills needs on a more effective basis. This will be the subject matter of the next cross-party group on further education and future skills meeting, which takes place next week, and it would be good if as many AMs as possible could get along to engage in that. But, essentially, Trefnydd, I think that with...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to start by echoing the comments made by the Chair of the Finance Committee and the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee about this new approach to budget scrutiny, and it being a model, perhaps, for future work, and I'm sensing that I'm sure other committees will want to take a careful look at it. It was very, I think, constructive for...
John Griffiths: ...for annual events ever since. It begins with a spectacular parade in which everyone gets dressed up and joins the giant figures, bands of musicians and dancers, ending at the venue in the primary school grounds. Maindee is an ethnically diverse community, constantly changing and evolving but coming together around a day to celebrate difference and common humanity with art, music and dance,...
John Griffiths: ...always, there is more work to do, and it's particularly relevant, I think, to some of our more deprived communities. The recent student health and well-being in Wales survey showed that, of year 11 school pupils, 15 to 16-year-olds, 9 per cent smoke regularly, which has remained more or less static since 2013-14. And in the least affluent areas, in the last four years, smoking prevalence...
John Griffiths: ...how such an arrangement is in place in Norway, and it means politicians paying more attention to what young people think. The Welsh Government’s response outlines how it intends to engage through education and awareness raising, but the excitement of participating in an election, of being able to voice an opinion, can make a huge impact and can be a catalyst to securing long-term...
John Griffiths: ...to accidents, that isn't the case. Many of them are relatively minor accidents, you know, and they could be cleared quite quickly with an enhanced service. The other thing I would mention is the school run, which again I think is very significant for local congestion. We could have school buses with much greater availability to deal with those issues. We could also have a much stronger...
John Griffiths: ...me, Minister, that 20 mph zones go very well with the sort of active travel increases that we want to see, and that they also go very well with encouraging our children to cycle, walk and scoot to school, which would be a very important contribution, I think, to dealing with air pollution on our roads, in our streets? Because I think we all know that when the schools are on holiday,...
John Griffiths: I'm pleased to say that I think there are many good examples around Wales of schools meeting this challenge, and I wonder if you would join me in recognising the progress of schools like Ringland Primary in my constituency, where they've increased walking, cycling and scooting to school by 20 per cent over the last year, so that now just under half of the pupils travel to school by those means.
John Griffiths: ...years earlier than if you were living in an affluent area. If you are a disadvantaged child, you are 27 per cent less likely to achieve five or more GCSEs at A to C grades. If you attend a private school, by the time you are 40, you will be earning 35 per cent more than a state school pupil. If you are homeless as an adult, you were almost certainly poor and working class as a child. Class...
John Griffiths: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policy on private schools?
John Griffiths: ...pollution that are illegal and harmful to their health. It is an environmental issue, but an urgent public health matter too. Getting more people to walk and cycle on their daily commutes and the school run will ease peak-time congestion on our roads, reduce poor-quality air and make us fitter and healthier. The recent Welsh Government declaration of a climate emergency must now be...
John Griffiths: ...are living with COPD, the Welsh average being around 2.3 per cent, which is a higher average than the rest of the UK. Working with Big Lottery Fund Wales, the foundation have developed a seven-week education and exercise programme to help participants better understand their condition. It will improve health and provide the tools to stay active and manage conditions independently. The...
