Siân Gwenllian: ...report is useful and does highlight important and crucial issues; issues and concerns that are already being discussed by stakeholders in Wales. It's true to say that there are no surprises, as the education Minister said, but the report does underline the fact that there is a great deal of work still to be done, that the issues and concerns are very real and that we do need to hasten the...
Siân Gwenllian: Will the First MInister make a statement on support for outdoor education centres in Arfon?
Siân Gwenllian: ...with the Counsel General. There are two significant aspects with regard to this judgment and the Welsh language, and one—the one that we were discussing yesterday—is the right to a Welsh education within a reasonable distance of the home. Now, I'm raising another matter that was part of that judgment with you today, namely that it's the first time for the Welsh language text of...
Siân Gwenllian: ...on children, on the social development of children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. We know, and there is plenty of evidence to demonstrate, how important early years care and education is for the development of a child emotionally, socially and educationally. So, how concerned are you about this short-term reduction and possible longer term reduction from the...
Siân Gwenllian: I’ve already talked about the significance of the judgment made by Judge Fraser in the case of the Pontypridd schools, and the decision has been welcomed from supporters of the Welsh language in the legal profession. Michael Imperato, in a recent discussion on the adjudication, talked of the ripple effect that that case would have. Can you confirm how you as a Government will inform public...
Siân Gwenllian: This judgment was made by Judge Fraser over the summer, wasn't it, and was a success for a group that is fighting to keep schools open in the Pontypridd catchment area, including Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Siôn Norton. The deficient decision taken by Rhondda Cynon Taf council meant that a disadvantaged community could have been excluded from Welsh-medium education, and the council now needs...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for the statement. I too would like to thank everyone who is seeking to ensure that our children and young people are able to return to education in a safe manner, which is a huge challenge, of course, particularly as we see positive COVID cases on the rise among our children and young people, with dozens of schools now having been affected already by the coronavirus crisis. I...
Siân Gwenllian: Whilst recognising that school closure was a necessary part of controlling the pandemic, there was clear consensus among witnesses to the committee that the impact of not being at school on the well-being of very many children was very significant indeed. Hefin David has just described his own experience and his children’s experience very clearly, and others across Wales will have faced all...
Siân Gwenllian: ...for enforcement agencies as part of the consultation. We are in favour of the introduction of 20 mph speed limits and in favour of increasing the number of 20 mph zones, particularly around schools, but also on housing estates and in other parts of our communities. But the question of enforcement is an important one and is one that needs to be addressed. At the moment, the 20 mph speed...
Siân Gwenllian: ...delivered. Now, in terms of implementation and the timetable for implementation, I can see your case that there are certain elements of the curriculum, elements that are already taking root in our schools, that are particularly pertinent in the context of the COVID crisis. I am pleased to see a prominent place for health and well-being as an area of learning and experience, but it won't be...
Siân Gwenllian: ...or both, wasn’t available to them. Now, 30 per cent of young people means a high number of young people if you were to apply that across Wales. And I wonder whether a similar survey among higher education students would show the same types of theme, or does this highlight the cinderella status of further education in Wales? So, I would like to know what your plans are to bridge that...
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, 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: ...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, and the issues that Suzy mentioned in terms of life skills and, certainly, issues around well-being and the mental and emotional health of our children...
Siân Gwenllian: ...government to put robust provision in place in legislation to safeguard children. And the Minister is therefore to be congratulated on her decision to ensure that sex and healthy relationship education is treated as an issue of basic human rights in Wales in the future. But where is the rationale for taking an entirely different course with the teaching of the history of our BAME...
Siân Gwenllian: ...us towards a situation where fluency in both our national languages becomes the norm rather than the exception, by ensuring that the curriculum facilitates and hastens the growth of Welsh-medium education.
Siân Gwenllian: .... 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 feel that there needs to be a specific strategy in place for Welsh-medium education,...
Siân Gwenllian: ...large numbers turning to S4C for Welsh-medium output, and it has a particular role in supporting and conveying Welsh language culture to children. A large percentage of children in Welsh-medium education come from homes where the Welsh language isn't spoken, and they are turning in their thousands to Cyw and Ysgol Cyw on S4C. Since lockdown, viewership of S4C's programming for children has...
Siân Gwenllian: We should praise staff and heads in our schools for carefully planning for the reopening of schools from Monday onwards. But, very late in the day, we received the news that there was great confusion as to the fourth week. Shouldn't you have secured the agreement of all parties, including all of the unions, before placing that expectation that schools should open for four weeks? And, in light...
Siân Gwenllian: 2. Will the Minister make a statement giving an update on the arrangements for reopening schools for four weeks before the summer break? TQ453
