As reported by NEU, Education unions in Wales have banded together to petition the Senedd against proposed changes to the school year, arguing that the focus should be on addressing pressing issues such as funding and staff shortages rather than altering the academic calendar
The education unions are asking their members to sign the Senedd petition, as they have consistently raised concerns that Welsh Government’s plans are not, and should not be, a priority for the education system in Wales. Now that the Welsh Government’s consultation exercise has closed, the education unions believe there is an opportunity to drop these plans.
Speaking about the proposals, Emma Forrest, NEU’s Assistant General Secretary responsible for Wales said:
“NEU Cymru is clear – funding of our schools, and support for our education workforce are the priorities for our members in Wales. With the new curriculum, additional learning needs reform, behaviour and attendance challenges, Welsh Government need to be supporting schools and making sure families have accessible holiday activities and free school meals, not changing the structure of the school year.”
Neil Butler, NASUWT Cymru’s national official for Wales, said: ‘The Welsh Government seems to be in the process of asking the same question over and over regarding reform of the school year in the vain hope that somebody will finally give them the answer they want to hear. It won’t happen. Reform of the school year is a dangerous distraction and will only do more damage to an already beleaguered education service. We need the Welsh Government to deal with the very real problems impacting on education in Wales and to stop going down this dead end.’
Rosie Lewis, UNISON Cymru Wales lead officer for schools, said: “Schools face numerous difficult challenges at the moment, reduced budgets, insufficient staff numbers, a recruitment and retention crisis, impossible workloads and pupil attendance. Ask any member of school support staff and they’d want the Welsh Government to focus on tackling these issues as a matter of urgency, not changes to the school year.”
Laura Doel, NAHT Cymru’s National Secretary said: “There is no evidence that suggest changing the academic year offers any academic benefit to learners. We must ensure that any educational reform is driven by what is best for children and young people, not on a whim when there are crucial issues that need addressing like school funding, recruitment and retention of staff and ALN support.”
Ioan Rhy Jones, General Secretary of UCAC, said: “One appreciates the fact that everyone will have an opinion on the proposed changes to the school calendar, however, it is hard to see how the Government can introduce such a far-reaching change without a full assessment of impact on the education of children and the working conditions of teachers.
“The failure to consider fully the evidence available from research and comparative studies and the further failure to engage with education experts is a grave concern and reflects poorly on the First Minister and Government.”
Eithne Hughes, Director of ASCL Cymru said: “There are many issues which need to be addressed in our schools – lack of sufficient funding, teacher shortages, high levels of pupil absence, a rising tide of mental health concerns, and unsustainable workloads. The school calendar, however, is not one of those issues.”
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