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)
I personally believe there is no evidence to suggest the curriculum requires a 'change at the moment. As a strong believer in Christ, I feel catholic schools' prime focus should be to teach/practice the ethos of religious education & faith in order to carry forward the traditional values to the future generations. The name 'Catholic schools' itself is there to provide Catholic education to the children where their parents had made a choice to bring their children in catholic education and faith. The idea of RVE & RSE sounds good in terms of pluralistic approach, however, this demeans the value of Catholic education as a whole. The parents of catholic school children have made informed choice by hoping the best catholic education/faith for their children.
The other imbalance noticed in the bill is, the parents have no right to withdraw from RVE & RSE. It feels like, parents have 'no say' in their children's faith. I would like to ask a question in this matter, that the other religious schools (In England) who provide religious education have been approached in the same manner as Catholic schools? Also, during the consultation stage, the submissions were made, hence the whole process were biased and discriminatory in my opinion. I feel, the whole process were dealt in a manner where the name change and the 'pluralistic approach' were imposed upon without considering catholic religious values.
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)
I do not think there is a need to change in the current practice among the catholic schools as it is running smoothly in accordance with the legal frame. Also, it promotes children's performance outcome in order to become the good citizens for the future.
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)
During this pandemic time scale, the delays are expected, however, the potential barriers to implement the bill will be the budget/financial side to it. It is unclear from the bill about the provision of any additional funding & staffing .
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)
I hope to believe, the govt will take care of those barriers addressed and to come up with something amicable for the catholic community.
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)
Yes, the impact on children on the topic RSE will be beyond catholic belief and faith.
Trying to 'normalise' something which is totally against the catholic belief & faith, will be confusing the children.
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)
It will have detrimental effect on catholic schools' finance and will be burden to small schools to meet both ends.
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)
I feel the catholic education provided in the catholic schools have been undermined and undervalued in the proposed curriculum. I am worried about the future of our children who wish to carry forward their traditional catholic religious values, if this bill passes, and the name change happens from RE to RVE & RSE
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)
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