6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on future changes to the curriculum in Wales? OAQ(5)0135(EDU)

Thank you, Janet. The new curriculum for Wales will be based on the fundamental review of existing arrangements that was undertaken by Professor Graham Donaldson. The recommendations are radical, with wide-ranging implications for our education system. Work is now well under way to develop a new curriculum in response to ‘Successful Futures’.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. There are, however, around 3,000 deaf children going through our education system here in Wales unable to access learning through a British Sign Language interpreter. For many deaf children, this is an important, and often the only, means of communication during this important development phase. Deaf Ex-mainstreamers research has shown how BSL should now be included within the Welsh curriculum model. We’ve received, as a Petitions Committee, a petition signed by over 1,000 people calling for improved access to learning through BSL. Will you give some consideration to including this within any curriculum change and ensure that these children can learn equally as well as anybody else?

Well, Janet, I will give more than consideration, and you will know that because I answered a written question on 31 May, which confirmed to you that in developing the area of learning and experience relating to language, literacy and communications, British Sign Language was being considered alongside other languages in the development work of that particular group. It has been included. They have ben liaising with the third-sector organisations who represent children and families in this particular area, and I expect that work to be ongoing and continuing.

Cabinet Secretary, last Thursday, we saw many young people taking part in the democratic process across the UK, being enthused—mainly by Jeremy Corbyn—to actually get involved and take part in their rights and have their voices heard. Will you agree with me that if this Assembly moves forward to a vote for 16 and 17-year-olds—[Interruption.] I’m disappointed that Members are not prepared to listen to an important aspect for young people. Do you agree with me that, as the Assembly moves forward and 16 and 17-year-olds have the possibility of also taking part in the democratic process here in Wales, it is incumbent on us to ensure that the new curriculum addresses political and citizenship education within it, so that they are prepared and they can be enthused and engaged—taking part and making sure that their voices are heard as well?

Well, Presiding Officer, I don’t think that there is anything particularly engaging or enthusing about some of the yah-boo stuff that goes on in this Chamber. What I recognise that young people are interested in is finding solutions to the problems that they face in their lives and in their communities. Equipping those young people with the ability to hold politicians to account, to scrutinise their work, and to be able to make informed choices about how they should vote is absolutely crucial to our ongoing success as a society. Politics and civic engagement is already a part of our current curriculum, under PSE arrangements. I expect politics to play a part in the humanities area of learning and experience. But, it is absolutely crucial—indeed, it is demanded of us by young people themselves—that they have access to this kind of curriculum. They know it is important, they want it, and we will deliver it for them.