Part of 3. Questions to the Minister for Education – in the Senedd at 4:07 pm on 10 February 2021.
Minister, I'm glad to hear that, and I know you'll join with me in applauding those teachers, headteachers, all of the people who've actually made huge efforts over the last year to continue teaching in some form or another, and to provide that welfare support and pastoral support as well through our education system. But I know that I'm having teachers in my own area saying to me now that whilst they are concerned about the welfare, not simply welfare in terms of the pandemic and teaching staff, but also having some down time, they do want to make use of the available time we have, particularly towards the summer, in terms of getting that catch-up provision for some of our pupils who really, really need it. So, Minister, I just wonder, how are discussions going with the various teaching unions to see whether they are flexible, and to actually work with Government and work with local schools, with the focus being on the education and the pastoral care of our students and helping them to catch up?