Improving Standards of Education

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 11 December 2018.

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Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour 2:06, 11 December 2018

Well, I don't agree that children are underachieving. I think there are excellent results in Wales in A-levels and in GCSEs, and we see very good standards of teaching in Wales. I think what is right to say is that consistency has always been an issue. Now, of course, the key to dealing with that is local government, because local government delivers education. Now, it's perfectly right and proper, of course, that I'm asked questions, and the Cabinet Secretary is asked questions, about education in this Chamber, but local government has a major role to play, and that means local government has to work together, regionally, to deliver education. We've seen improvements. It'd be wholly wrong for any local authority to try to deliver education itself or to pull out of regional structures. That is a backward step and children's education will be worsened as a result. So, yes, we want to work with the local authorities, but it's hugely important as well that local authorities work together to deliver education across a far wider area.