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The Catholic
Education Service fully supports the vision and aims for education
in Wales as set out, for example, in Qualified for Life; A
Curriculum for Wales – a curriculum for life; New Deal for
the Education Workforce; and, Rewriting the Future: raising
ambition and attainment in Welsh schools, recognising in them
the fundamental aim of Catholic schools: that all people ‘may
have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10).
One area that
parents, students and other stakeholders, raise is learner
transport to schools. Local Authorities are, of course,
facing severe financial constraints and proposed changes to learner
transport provision often feature in financial cutbacks. The
response to such proposals is frequently hostile. It might be
helpful for the CYPE committee to investigate all aspects of
learner transport to examine its provision across Wales and the
impact of changes. At the same time, it might clarify, in
terms of the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales)
Regulations 2011 and the Well-being of Futures Generations (Wales)
Act 2015, within the ‘protected characteristic’ of
religion and belief, the provision of learner transport to Church
schools as well as to Welsh-medium schools. In both cases,
parents are choosing schools that are not their nearest
‘suitable’ community schools. The opportunity to
be educated through the medium of Welsh, or in a Church school in
Wales, is a source of strength in the Welsh education system.
Learner transport should sit within the Education
Minister’s portfolio and protecting the ability of parents to
use learner transport to support their choice of school would help
the nation of Wales fulfil its duties under the Equality
Act.
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