CYPE(6)-26-22 – Papur i’w nodi 1  

YMGYRCH HANES CYMRU

Jeremy Miles

Gweinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg

Llywodraeth Cymru

Bae Caerdydd

Caerdydd

CF99 1NA

28 Tachwedd 2022

Annwyl Jeremy Miles,

Hanes Cymru a Chwricwlwm i Gymru

Mae Cwricwlwm i Gymru a’r cyfleoedd cyffrous y mae’n ei gynnig bellach yn dechrau cael ei weithredu yn ysgolion Cymru. Croesawn yn fawr bod Cwricwlwm i Gymru’n datgan yn glir y dylai Hanes Cymru yn ei holl amrywiaeth cyfoethog fod yn greiddiol ac yn ganolog i gynlluniau gwaith o fewn Maes Dysgu y Dyniaethau.

Serch hynny, mae profiad blaenorol o’r diffyg sylw a roddwyd yn hanesyddol i Hanes Cymru mewn nifer o ysgolion yn achos pryder. Mae ysgolion wedi wynebu heriau sylweddol iawn tros y blynyddoedd diwethaf a allai fod wedi cael effaith ar eu gallu i gynllunio a pharatoi ar gyfer newidiadau mor sylfaenol. Ar ben hynny, mae prinder arbenigedd a diffyg profiad o ran cyflwyno Hanes Cymru mewn rhai ysgolion ynghyd â phrinder adnoddau wedi bod yn rwystrau.

Galwn arnoch i sefydlu Gweithgor dan gadeiryddiaeth annibynnol tebyg i’r Gweithgor Cymunedau, Cyfraniadau a Chynefin: Profiadau Pobl dduon ac Asiaidd a lleiafrifoedd ethnig er mwyn gallu adolygu’r modd y mae hanes Cymru’n cael ei gyflwyno.

Ymysg swyddogaeth y Gweithgor hwn fyddai

· dynodi corff cyffredin o wybodaeth sylfaenol y dylai ysgolion ei gynnwys yn eu cynlluniau gwaith

· llunio llinell amser i gyd-fynd â hyn

· monitro dysgu hanes Cymru yn yr ysgolion i sicrhau ei fod cael ei ddysgu’n gyson ar draws y wlad

· nodi bylchau yn yr adnoddau sydd ar gael a chynghori ar pa ddefnyddiau fyddai eu hangen

· cynnig cyngor ar natur yr hyfforddiant fyddai ei angen ar ysgolion

Sylweddolwn mai un o egwyddorion sylfaenol Cwricwlwm i Gymru yw caniatáu i ysgolion lunio eu cwricwlwm eu hunain i gwrdd ag anghenion eu disgyblion a blaenoriaethau lleol. Ni fyddai dynodi corff cyffredin o wybodaeth yn cyfyngu ar ryddid ysgolion i wneud hynny ond byddai’n rhoi canllaw clir iddynt er mwyn sicrhau bod hanes cenedlaethol Cymru’n cael ei gyflwyno. Er mor werthfawr yw dysgu am hanes lleol, nid yw canolbwyntio ar hynny’n unig yn gyfystyr â dysgu am Hanes Cymru.

Edrychwn ymlaen at dderbyn eich ymateb.

Yn gywir,

Eryl Owain

Cyd-lynydd Ymgyrch Hanes Cymru

History of Wales and the Curriculum for Wales

Curriculum for Wales and the exciting opportunities it offers is now being implemented in Welsh schools. We very much welcome that the History of Wales in all its rich diversity should be central to every school’s curriculum within the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience

Nevertheless, previous experience of the lack of attention historically given to Welsh History in a number of schools is cause for concern. Schools have faced very significant challenges over the past few years which may have had an impact on their ability to plan and prepare for such fundamental changes. Furthermore, lack of expertise and lack of experience in delivering  Welsh History in some schools together with a lack of resources has been problematic.

We call on you to establish an independent chaired Working Group similar to the Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and experiences Working Group in order to be able to review the way Welsh history is presented.

Among the functions of this Working Group would be to

• identify a common body of basic knowledge that schools should include in their curriculum

• draw up a timeline to go along with this

• monitor the teaching of Welsh history in the schools to ensure that it is taught consistently across the country

• identify gaps in the resources available and advise on what resources would be needed

• offer advice on the nature of the training that schools would need

We realize that one of the basic principles of Curriculum for Wales is to allow schools to design their own curriculum to meet the needs of their pupils and local priorities. Designating a common body of knowledge would not limit the freedom of schools to do so but would give them a clear guide to ensure that the national history of Wales is delivered. As valuable as learning about local history is, focusing on that alone is not the same as learning about Welsh History.

We look forward to receiving your response.