8. Welsh Conservatives Debate: School Funding

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:45 pm on 20 February 2019.

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Photo of Kirsty Williams Kirsty Williams Liberal Democrat 6:45, 20 February 2019

I recognise, when I go out to schools, I see the pressure our teachers are under—of course I do. But I also very clearly see their commitment, their passion and their drive to get the best possible outcomes for the children that they teach. But I recognise that they need further support to match their commitment, and that's why I welcome the work of the Children, Young People and Education Committee on school funding, and I look forward to receiving that report. That's why this Government is delivering the biggest single investment in teachers since devolution, opposed today by Suzy Davies, and welcomed, it should be said, by our teaching union. That's why we're putting extra money into the pupil development grant, that's why we're reducing class sizes, and that's why we're supporting small and rural schools, just to name three of the initiatives. All of those things are focused on raising standards and reducing the attainment gap, and I will never apologise for trying to do any of that.