More to be done to ensure post-16 education reform achieves maximum impact

17 June 2010

There are obstacles to overcome if a Welsh Government initiative to improve learning provision in Wales is to progress effectively, according to a cross-party National Assembly Committee.

The Enterprise and Learning Committee has come to the end of its inquiry into the Welsh Government’s Transformation Agenda – an innovative pledge to transform education provision in Wales.

Its inquiry found that despite generally wide support for the Agenda - which has widened the learning options for post-16s - there are issues with its implementation, including poor communication resulting in some education institutions feeling out of the loop.

Other concerns of the Committee include inconsistent levels of collaboration between learning providers across Wales, and an over-emphasis on structural implications of the Agenda rather than standards.

Committee Chair Gareth Jones AM said: “The Committee appreciates that these are early days in the Agenda’s implementation and recognises that there is overarching support for its purpose.

“However, there are issues that need addressing if it’s to achieve its aim of ensuring that 95% of young people are ready for high skilled employment or higher education by 2015.

“Evidence pointed to varying levels of integration across Wales between learning providers and inadequate consultation with stakeholders - which has resulted in dissatisfaction and resentment in some areas.

“While we are not publishing a report of our inquiry, we have today written an open letter to the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, asking him to respond to our conclusions. The letter has been drafted in the spirit of a common desire for the Agenda to achieve its potential and for Wales to become a positive exemplar of all-encompassing and effective education provision.

“We look forward to the Minister’s response, which we shall publish in due course.”