Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I believe that the Welsh bac plays a key part in our national mission to raise standards by improving both the skills and the knowledge of our young people. It has been designed to give younger people a broader experience than they usually have through their traditional academic education. It prepares learners for life in the real world, equipping them with the skills to think for themselves and to take responsibility for independent research. Ironically, these are the very skills that will help young people to see through indoctrination, as mentioned in Mr Hamilton's title, if that was happening. 

Through the Welsh bac, learners can develop their knowledge and understanding of society and the community in which they live. They can also develop an awareness of global issues, events and perspectives and, of course, we expect headteachers and principals to use their professional judgment in determining the right learning programme for their learners. But I believe that it is our duty to provide future generations with the skills, knowledge and, I dare say, the evidence that they need to play a full and active role in their communities and the wider society, and the Welsh bac will help us fulfil that duty.

I am not particularly familiar with the resources quoted by Mr Hamilton, or the ones that he has referenced in his speech this afternoon, but he has offered up no evidence that anything but what I've just described is happening in our schools. The global citizenship challenge is an important area of study, I believe, and it points students and teachers to use a range of sources and materials to examine issues that are listed in the curriculum, and to consider other relevant factors. Indeed, for a child's work to be assessed and to pass in their personal standpoint area of this qualification—and I quote—they

‘must include: Differing views and opinions about global issues’ in their written assessments. They have to outline relevant factors, as well as forming their own opinion at the end of that piece of work. Those are the assessment criteria that are used to assess students' work in this regard. I would quote again that they must include other people's views or differing viewpoints and arguments on the topic they have selected.’

Now, it's not just me that believes that this is an important qualification. Qualifications Wales, an independent body, recently conducted a review of the qualification that concluded that learners are developing skills that are beneficial to their future. They stated that the principles of the Welsh baccalaureate and the skills challenge certificate are strong and they are relevant. Furthermore, they strongly advise that the skills challenge certificate element of the qualification is retained and updated.

Deputy Presiding Officer, as is to be expected with any review, there are recommendations for updates and refinements, and I would expect nothing less. The report noted that some aspects of this design and assessment are more complex than they need to be for children and practitioners, and there is some duplication of content and assessments across its components. Now, I welcome the actions that Qualifications Wales will be taking within their realm of responsibility, and I will soon be setting out my response to their report, and we will work with Qualifications Wales, the WJEC and the consortia to review their recommendations and implement changes. It's also worth noting that businesses and employers also recognise what the qualification can bring. To quote from the review:

'This report found that the Skills Challenge Certificate is a valuable qualification that helps learners to develop crucial skills. The skills that employers consistently say young people need to succeed in the workplace'.

Mr Philip Blaker, the chief executive of Qualifications Wales said, and I quote, 

'many teachers say the Skills Challenge Certificate is rewarding to teach and that students say they enjoy gaining new skills', and the chance to focus on topics that are really of interest to them.

We also know that many schools and students recognise the benefits of the qualification, and we regularly receive feedback from schools and colleges on how the Welsh bac is benefiting our learners. Last year, Neath Port Talbot College's sixth-form academy achieved an amazing pass rate of 25 per cent of students gaining an A* or A, 60 per cent getting A* to B and 86 per cent getting A* to C. And more than 200 students achieved the advanced skills challenge certificate. These are outstanding results that have enabled our student and young people access to a range of university places and employment opportunities. As we heard from a former pupil at Dŵr-y-Felin Comprehensive School who achieved the advanced skills challenge certificate alongside three other A-levels: 

'Studying the WBQ enabled me to develop a range of skills that I would not have achieved from A Level study alone. In particular, my Individual Investigation on anxiety and depression will undoubtedly be beneficial in Cardiff University where I will be studying Psychology'.

These are, Deputy Presiding Officer, real examples of how the Welsh bac is benefiting people in Wales. I have also heard the Welsh bac being criticised recently because it is not accepted by universities. Let me make it absolutely clear to the students who are currently embarked on their Welsh bac journey—this is simply not true. The majority of universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, increasingly value the skills challenge certificate, and the Welsh baccalaureate for the skills that it has developed. I know this, because I've spoken to the admission tutors of both those universities, to hear from them directly, and many are prepared to accept it for entry requirement purposes. The advanced challenge certificate is comparable to an A-level, and universities across the UK are very positive, with the majority prepared to accept the new advanced Welsh bac as part of their entry requirements. It's worth noting that it attracts the same UCAS points as an A-level. Some universities have reduced the grade tariff required for some courses where applicants have achieved the Welsh bac. This is an indicator of their confidence in the qualification.

So, to sum up, a recent review of the qualification was positive, teachers enjoy teaching it, students enjoy studying it, and employers say it provides young people with the skills needed in the workplace. And many universities recognise it for their entry requirements. Those that don't still value it for its broader skills and experiences that it gives young people, and it can enhance their application. So, I am clear that we will continue to encourage universal adoption of the Welsh bac because it makes sense, because the evidence tells us that it's worth while and because I believe it will help us raise standards, reduce the attainment gap and deliver an education system that is the source of national pride and public confidence where young people will have the very skills to be able to challenge the views of the likes of Mr Hamilton.