22 May 2008
The WLGA and the teaching unions in Wales have today re-iterated their serious concerns over the lack of funding to support the roll out of the Foundation Phase, the new curriculum for 3 to 7 year olds in Wales.
Presenting evidence at the Assembly Government Finance Committee, Steve Thomas WLGA Chief Executive said:
“The WLGA and the Association of the Directors of Education in Wales are hugely supportive of the principles of the Foundation Phase, but this major education initiative needs to be adequately and appropriately funded over the next four years. This message is consistent with what we have been conveying for the past year, but this message seems to be lost in what is becoming a sterile debate about the statistical underpinnings of the scheme. If this indeed the problem why did the government have to inject a further£5m in the past two weeks on the basis of the information they already have?
“I cannot overstate the importance of getting the delivery of the Foundation Phase right and an essential part of that is getting to the 1:8 pupil teacher ratios, without this our schools will not be delivering the Foundation Phase.”
David Hopkins, Chair of the Association of Directors of Education in Wales stated
“The WLGA, ADEW and the teacher unions are in agreement that there is a current shortfall in funding. What we need to do now is work with the Assembly Government to make sure that there is a clear plan for the roll out over the next four years, which includes details on how much money will be needed, where that money will come from and how it will be distributed to local authorities and schools. At the heart of this is the local management of schools and the need to fund on upon the number of pupils on the school rolls and the average costs in total of providing the curriculum.
The WLGA and local authorities remain committed to ongoing discussions with the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Hutt AM, and working closely with the minister to ensure that we are able to deliver this exciting initiative over the next four years.”
WLGA Evidence to Finance Committee available at:
http://www.assemblywales.org/gethome/calendar-document-content?id=84882
Ends
For more information contact: Nia Lewis