, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
I would like to stay on the issue of attendance, if I may. It was also a concern for me to see the levels of persistent absence, and of course they're higher among those who receive free school meals. And also higher among pupils who receive free school meals…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Happy?
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you, Catherine. Now, of course, pupils are at the heart of everything that we talk about today, and the next topic focuses on engaging with pupils and equity in education. So, I'll ask Art, please, to come in on this theme with his question. Are you…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Diolch yn fawr. Catherine, please.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Diolch. Lynne, please.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Sam. We're going to move on to the next theme, which is the education workforce, something that you've also spoken quite a bit about in terms of it being a priority for you, Minister. I just wanted to check with…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Diolch—[Interruption.] Sorry, Sam.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you. Any further questions on Welsh language and education? Donna.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Right. Thank you. I have one other question, Minister, if that's okay. Under the Deputy Minister for Transport, we know that there is going to be a review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. Could you give us assurance as a committee that you are…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you. Okay, Mair, I'll come to you.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
So, could we ask for a letter and an update from you shortly when those findings are clearer, and when you have spoken to all the local authorities?
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Minister, I had a question on the WESPs and the delivery plans. You mentioned that the rapid review had concluded and you said that you're now going back to the local authorities. Could you give us some sort of idea of what kinds of findings you had in that…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you very much. Are there any further questions on ALN, additional learning needs, from anyone? If not, we'll move on to the Welsh language in education. Beca, I'll come to you for the first question.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you. Okay. Mair, over to you.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
And, Art, as a reminder, we will be bringing the Minister back, when we do have the draft budget, for further scrutiny on that in particular.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Okay. Art. Diolch.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you, Minister. Before I come to Art, Catherine, I just wanted to check with you, did you want to come in on ALN?
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Okay. Anything to add, Minister?
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you very much. The second question I have concentrates on Welsh-medium ALN. So, in Plaid Cymru's 100-day plan, there was a commitment to improving accessibility to Welsh-medium education, beginning with an assessment of ALN provision through the medium…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you, Minister. I have two questions on ALN. You will be aware that there has been a decrease of 57 per cent in the number of pupils identified as those with additional learning needs over the five years since the introduction of the new system, of…
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Lynne, before you just carry on, can I just remind people—sorry, I should have said this earlier—that you don't need to manually put your mic on? It will come on automatically. Sorry, I should have mentioned that at the top of the meeting. Apologies. Lynne.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you very much. We'll move on to the next theme. All of these themes are important, but I know there has been a great deal of discussion about additional learning needs, Minister. I'd like to come to Lynne Neagle, first of all.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Okay, excellent. Are there any further questions on the curriculum from anyone at this point? Yes, Catherine. Thank you.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Thank you very much. Art, you had a question on the curriculum.
, Early Years, Children, Young People and Education Committee
Welsh Government Scrutiny Session
Diolch, Sam. Mair Rowlands.
