Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:42 pm on 18 May 2022.
I accept the point that one of the challenges is to have the time to look after yourself. That has been very challenging. You're right also to say that the experience of the last two years isn't at an end, and education practitioners, teachers and assistants are under pressure currently. Certainly, that is true. In terms of the further support, you will have seen the statement that about half of the secondary schools have decided to implement the curriculum in September this year rather than wait until next year, which is to be welcomed, of course. Our ability to increase staffing levels as a result of COVID—about 1,800 additional members of staff in the system—I think, provides some extra support. But, of course, the needs are greater as well as a result of the pressure on students and pupils over the last two years.
Perhaps the Member will have seen that back in February I announced a support scheme for teachers over the following months, from the beginning of the year, to ensure that they felt they were ready for September. Teachers may be on different parts of the path of feeling that they're ready, and I'm sure that many may feel they've lost that additional time to prepare for September. But, a lot of work has been ongoing for a long period of time to ensure that the training and the resources are there. And it's not too late; there is a lot of support available to ensure that every teacher feels confident to teach the new curriculum in September.