This was particularly so in terms of the breadth of skills developed for future learning, employment and life. However, the way in which the qualification is currently being delivered and publicised is having a detrimental effect on its actual and perceived value. Many of the negative views we heard also related both to a lack of understanding of the qualification’s purpose and content, and the inconsistency in its delivery across Wales.

Although we found that understanding of the Welsh bac is growing in some areas, employers and universities remain underinformed about the qualification. Centres of learning remain worryingly inconsistent in their approach to its teaching. Duplication of effort and unmanageable assessment requirements are also leaving teachers and learners understandably fatigued. For the Welsh bac's potential to be fully realised, these issues need to be addressed as a matter of priority. It is essential that the Welsh Government makes a clearer statement about its vision for the Welsh bac that is underpinned by guidance that provides detail on its expectations in relation to the qualification’s delivery. So I very much welcome the Minister’s confirmation that the Welsh Government is currently reviewing the guidance available on the Welsh bac and its delivery, and that it will be publishing clearer guidance in due course.

We also believe that Welsh Government and Qualifications Wales should work together to deliver a focused awareness-raising campaign especially aimed at business and higher education institutions. If the skills developed under the Welsh bac are better understood by those sectors, it will help secure their engagement and buy-in. We recognise the work that Qualifications Wales has already undertaken in this respect and are pleased that the Minister’s response indicated that Welsh Government are now working closely with Qualifications Wales and WJEC to develop a joint communications plan to help ensure that universities and employers understand the skills that learners develop while undertaking this qualification. 

The committee found that there is a lack of clarity about the meaning and implementation of the Welsh Government’s policy of universal adoption for the Welsh bac. While some centres of learning adopt a mandatory approach to its study, others do not. In many cases this variability has led to a sense of unfairness and to some learners moving from one institution to another simply to avoid the Welsh bac. It has also led to a perception that the requirement to take the Welsh bac might be compromising young people’s future options and, as a result, might impact on their rights. Our recommendation called on the Welsh Government, as a matter of priority, to issue strengthened and more detailed guidance on its policy for universal adoption. We believe that guidance should set out clearly the circumstances in which learners may be exempt from studying the skills challenge certificate.

We were pleased to see that the Welsh Government is developing updated guidance on the Welsh bac and that the policy of universal adoption of the Welsh bac will be included in that guidance. However, the committee hopes and expects that guidance to include the detail that we called for, and we will monitor the development of the guidance very closely. It is also essential that, in developing that guidance, a rigorous and comprehensive child rights impact assessment is undertaken.

We have heard that the introduction of the Welsh bac, along with wider education reforms in recent years, has led to timetables being stretched. As a consequence, options and choices for learners are perceived to have narrowed. While it cannot be denied that the introduction of the skills challenge certificate and wider education reforms leave less capacity in the timetable for other learning, if designed and implemented effectively, we believe the Welsh bac has the potential to widen learners' skills and experiences.

Appropriate levels of training, development and resources for those charged with delivery of the Welsh bac was also a clear concern for many of those who gave evidence. Such concerns are not limited to this particular qualification and the committee has heard similar views in relation to other education reforms. We believe that the Welsh Government can help improve the delivery of the Welsh bac by ensuring that initial teacher education and continuing professional development are fit for purpose for its delivery. Again, we very much welcome that the Welsh Government has accepted our recommendations in this respect.

The education sector is facing a period of reform on an unprecedented scale. With so much change on the horizon, it is essential that we all work together to help ensure that our learners receive the quality education that they deserve. As a committee, we will be monitoring that reform agenda closely, and the teaching of the Welsh bac going forward will play a big part in that.

The committee is positive about the Welsh baccalaureate qualification, and if the changes outlined in our report are delivered, we believe that the future of the Welsh bac, and its learners, is bright. Thank you very much.