7. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's digital competence framework? OAQ(5)0176(FM)

Yes. It was made available to schools on 1 September.

Thank you for the quick answer, Minister. Online social media platforms can be used by offenders to make contact with children who are unaware of the sinister intentions that may lie behind a seemingly innocent exchange. The NSPCC has called for online safety lessons to become part of the curriculum so children can recognise the signs of this behaviour and its dangers. Will the First Minister confirm that online safety lessons will form part of the digital competence framework in Wales?

This is part of what the framework will look to achieve. Actually, I know that schools do give lessons in terms of internet safety—I’ve certainly been aware of that with my own children and others will have the same experience. It’s true to say that, building on the good work that schools have displayed so far, we want to make sure that children are as fully aware as they can be of what lurks out there online. We know that, for many offenders, they will go to great lengths, sometimes, in trying to place young children in a position of vulnerability, and so, their safety is paramount.

The digital competence framework, of course, is one of a number of frameworks that are to be introduced over the next few years. One concern that’s been expressed, of course, is a lack of time within the academic year, as it’s currently structured, to train and prepare teachers and educators to take full advantage of these frameworks. Given that there’s only around 5 days available for training within a year for teachers, how do you intend to ensure that they are armed to use these new frameworks to their full extent?

Well, two things. The new curriculum will ensure that there’s an opportunity not just to teach but also to train. Then, secondly, with the devolution of the terms and conditions of teachers we can then consider the nature of training and what kind of training would be more beneficial for teachers. The current system has been in place for many years now and I think we need to reconsider it in order to give more training to teachers and to give them what they need.