Consultation on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
Individual
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
Partly
1.2 Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1500 words)
There is an urgent need to teach Welsh history thoroughly at all educational levels. We must start at our feet and teach our children and young people to understand the factors that have shaped their communities over the centuries. The historical expertise is available in Wales to ensure that this complete picture is presented of our history.
There is no justification for enforcing the teaching of English to 4 year olds, and enforcing it as a norm throughout Wales. The principle of immersing children in Welsh from an early age gives them the opportunity to become fully fluent in it. There is more than enough English in the world around us to ensure that children become fluent in it later on. I was one of the 400 people from education that signed a letter to your attention earlier this year to this effect. I think that you should listen to our demands, especially as the Welsh Government has offered no educational justification or evidence for making English compulsory from the age of 4.
1.3 Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
Legislation is needed to strengthen the provision of teaching Welsh history as in the case of positive bias in favour of strengthening Welsh learning from an early age within the curriculum. The picture of presenting our history as a nation is patchy and too much attention is given even at primary level to British and even American history. I have grandchildren who go through the education system in Gwynedd, and the education only through the medium of Welsh at Key Stage 1 was crucial in their development. The introduction of English as a subject at the age of 7 was and is early enough. English is one of the most powerful languages in the world and its presence across multiple media means that our children become aware of it at a very early age. The teaching of English from the age of four should not be legislated for, and there should be positive legislation in favour of teaching Welsh and learning through the medium of Welsh.
2. The Bill’s implementation
2.1 Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
2.2 Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
3. Unintended consequences
3.1 Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
4. Financial implications
4.1 Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
5. Powers to make subordinate legislation
5.1 Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum). If no, go to question 6.1.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
6. Other considerations
6.1 Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)