4. Statement by the Minister for Education: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:13 pm on 29 April 2020.

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Photo of Suzy Davies Suzy Davies Conservative 4:13, 29 April 2020

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Minister, for that update and the evidence you gave us in the Children, Young People and Education Committee the other day. Can I just associate myself with your opening remarks about all the people that need thanking, and just to add some of those council officials, as it strikes me that every time there's an announcement from Welsh Government, the heavy lifting seems to me to be done by council officials and employees? I hope you're encouraging all parties involved to record data on their activities, as we're going to need that, not just to scrutinise you and the performance of some of these bodies, but also to spot and take advantage of those good ideas for more agile, efficient and effective ways of working that emerge from this. 

I understand, of course, there's been a strong focus on schools, but occasional learners' lives have been disrupted, like everybody else's, and I was pleased to hear you just say about the financial contribution to further education institutions being maintained. But that's what I'd like to ask you some questions on, if I may. 

We've had your update on the UK qualifications taken in Wales, which will be assessed across the UK—those that have a strong practical element—and I look forward to further updates on that. But, for now, could you tell us how the assessment of apprenticeships and other work-based learning is unfolding, and what the role of employers is in that, bearing in mind they're pretty distracted at the moment? Are Hwb and some of those other online platforms you mentioned now available to college students or apprentices? What feedback have you had from colleges on the use of the £2 million that you've given them for mental health support, and any information on barriers to student engagement that they're experiencing?

If you can give us anything on what's happening with other Welsh Government work-based learning, often based, of course, around essential skills and involving individuals who maybe don't have access to a lot of IT kit—you know, what's happening there. And, if we have time, just your further thoughts on the PCET Bill proceeding in the fifth Assembly.