I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on Estyn's annual report. It is important that the Assembly has the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the chief inspector, both in this annual debate and in committee. The Children, Young People and Education Committee is itself taking evidence from the chief inspector on the annual report next week, and I'm sure that what has been said in the debate today will give the committee much food for thought ahead of that session.

This annual report has been written at the end of Estyn's seven-year reporting cycle and reflects on that period. As the report sets out, a lot has changed in education over that time. However, as we are all aware, some of the most significant changes are yet to come. One of the key messages in the report, which has been highlighted in the Plaid Cymru amendment, is that ensuring the quality of teaching is crucial as we move forward with curriculum reform. Estyn's report also states that

'Improving teaching requires better support, professional learning and staff development'.

The preparedness of the teaching profession for curriculum reform was one of the main concerns raised by the Children, Young People and Education Committee during its recent inquiry into teachers' professional learning and education. The committee's report makes a number of recommendations to help ensure that the teaching profession is prepared for the forthcoming changes. Our report also contains some key recommendations about improvements that could be made to the delivery of professional learning and development for the education workforce, all of which we believe will help ensure better quality of teaching and a better learning experience for children and young people. It is clear that urgent action is required to give our teaching professionals every opportunity to thrive through their careers, creating cultures of personal development and returning esteem to a profession that so vitally needs it.

On 14 March, the committee will hold its Plenary debate on our report into teachers' professional learning and education. I look forward to working with the Cabinet Secretary to help deliver the improvements needed in teachers' professional learning, a concern that is clearly shared by Estyn.