Vikki Howells: ...mattress recycling—I think they're the only place in Wales that does that—nappy recycling, turning nappies into plastic pellets that can be used to make decking, an anaerobic digester, the education centre, which I believe you visited, and many exciting plans for the future as well. And I'd like to associate myself with the comments made by Dai Lloyd about the potential for us to, here...
Vikki Howells: ...and supporting social entrepreneurs in Wales—social entrepreneurs like Janis Werrett, of Cynon Valley Organic Adventures, whose community garden, as well as promoting sustainability, offers educational and employability opportunities. I know there are some quite wide-ranging discussions taking place within the sector, but could we have a statement from Welsh Government on what work it is...
Vikki Howells: ...what discussions you might have had or might consider having with your colleagues in Government around that, and of course that could provide an economic boost to Wales, particularly as the summer school holidays approach.
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. It's really useful that the pupil development grant—access can be used for funding things like equipment, sports kit, and also kit for activities outside of schools too, especially when we remember that household incomes are now £1,500 lower than they were three years ago due to the ongoing impact of the Westminster austerity agenda. How is the Welsh Government...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the First Minister provide an update on how the Welsh Government is supporting families to meet the cost of school uniforms? OAQ54194
Vikki Howells: ...travel fund. I note with interest David Melding's contribution, and I'm thinking there could be many young people watching that who think, 'How can we get initiatives like that working in our own schools?' So, my question to you is: how are children and young people being encouraged to participate in the decision-making process that enables them to make the right choices? I know of several...
Vikki Howells: .... I think one of the most important ways that we can actually make sure that we meet our target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050 is to increase the number of pupils who access Welsh-medium education. While RCT has a strong track record in delivering that, I think the role of the meithrin is really important in encouraging young children into that sphere. I've been working closely with a...
Vikki Howells: ..., but I want to pick up on the most obvious point. It's a very delicate point, but a point that really does need to be made. The motion states that the history of Wales should be taught to every school pupil in Wales without exception. This is clearly a blanket proposal that views young people as a homogenous mass, and I believe that that is actually unrealistic. It overlooks the fact that...
Vikki Howells: ...with a degree in history and Welsh history from Cardiff University and a Master's in modern Welsh history from the same institution, and more importantly, someone who taught history in a secondary school at key stage 3, GCSE and A-level for 16 years to pupils of all abilities, including those in discrete ALN classes. Welsh history has always been a key part of my professional working life...
Vikki Howells: ..., who have asked me why the zone can't be extended to cover their area as well. They do know that that is about air quality emissions and they're particularly concerned because Pontypridd High School sits right next to the A470 there and there's a proposal to co-locate Cilfynydd Primary School onto the same site. I've had very strong representation from people there who would welcome the...
Vikki Howells: ...as an active travel route, and I know that there are many other similar schemes that could have the same positive effects. Recommendation 11 is another really useful tool. Allowing wider access to school facilities, especially newly renovated ones under twenty-first century schools, just makes common sense. I'm pleased that recently I was able to work with RCT council to meet requests from...
Vikki Howells: What intervention is the Welsh Government making to support the provision of supply teachers in schools?
Vikki Howells: First Minister, it was a pleasure to join you on Thursday at the official opening of the brand-new £7.2 million Cwmaman Primary School in my constituency, just the latest in a series of new school buildings where my constituency has benefited from investment to the tune of over £100 million—more than any other constituency in Wales, I believe. And, as a former teacher, I know only too...
Vikki Howells: 6. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving educational performance during the remainder of this Assembly term? OAQ53534
Vikki Howells: Trefnydd, I would like to request three statements today. First of all, I'd welcome a statement from the education Minister on the next steps that the Welsh Government will take to tackle bullying in schools. The 'Respecting others' consultation is due to close later this week, but after many years in the classroom, I am still concerned that we do all we can to deal with this issue. In...
Vikki Howells: ...a strong connection to the outdoors, how are you working with colleagues across Government to see how that perception can be tackled? I’ve spoken previously about the role more formal outdoors education can play within that. So, I'd be interested in hearing what discussions you may have had about how that could fit into the strategy to tackle childhood obesity.
Vikki Howells: ...and vocational learning. Indeed, their purpose is to ensure that we regard vocational qualifications as an aspirational yet attainable route for all, and that we consider them to be equal to other educational routes. In this, they chime closely with the Welsh Government's aim, as stated in 'Prosperity for All', to make sure that there are no artificial barriers between vocational and...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, and one of the key roles of this enrichment programme is obviously to tackle holiday hunger. What discussions have you had with the new First Minister about how he plans to use educational schemes such as this to fulfil his campaign pledge to eliminate holiday hunger in Wales?
Vikki Howells: 3. Will the Minister provide an update on preparations for the 2019 summer scheme of the school holiday enrichment programme? OAQ53145
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. Just before Christmas, I was fortunate enough to meet with the pupils of Pengeulan Primary School, who expressed their grave concerns to me about plastic pollution. They have a very laudable ambition to make their town of Mountain Ash plastic free and have already done lots of work and research on this. Bearing in mind your manifesto commitment to provide a network...
