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1. In light of any decisions made as a result of
publication of both the Hazelkorn Review and the forthcoming
Diamond Review, we would welcome scrutiny of the infrastructure
that will need to be in place to support them. In the best
interests of the young people of Wales, it is crucial that
education providers of the future are supported by adequate and
reliable funding, robust organisation and management, and a stable
and motivated workforce.
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2. The role of further and higher education, in
the design and implementation of the New Curriculum needs to be
considered. If we wish to change the curriculum in Wales, it needs
to include the wider education community, not just schools. There
are many young people of compulsory school age who already benefit
from alternative provision; however we need to move towards this
becoming the norm, not just provision for
“problem”/lower ability pupils. Currently the emphasis
of the New Curriculum is on schools, with alternative providers
seen as additional. There is much expertise within both sectors,
which would be of benefit to young people. Without the full
partnership of all sectors, we risk losing a golden opportunity to
create Donaldson’s vision of a curriculum that engages all
young people.
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3. We would welcome a review of the way that the
members of the Education Workforce Council are selected. Currently
the members are either appointed by the Minister or selected by the
Minister from a list of stakeholder nominees. This has resulted in
the current situation in which not a single member of the Council
is representative of Further Education lecturers. We are concerned
that decisions made regarding the professional conduct of lecturers
will be made by a group that has no up to date experience of
classroom practice at a post 16 level. There are subtle but
important difference in the roles and relationships between pupils
and teachers, and students and lecturers. We would welcome the
reintroduction of elected peers to the EWC, as was the case with
the former GTCW and also fitness to practice panels that are the
majority peers from the same registration category
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When considering policy, administration and
expenditure on the education and well-being of young people, we
would welcome scrutiny of processes that risk disempowering
practicing teachers and lecturers. As stated in Professor
Donaldson’s report:
“The extent of legislative control and
associated accountability…have inhibited professionalism,
agility and responsiveness…” P10
The Post 16 Education Sector in
Wales has much to offer in the way of expertise, resources and
solutions to the successful development of education policy that
we, as a country, aspire to. As a trade union and professional
association, UCU Wales would welcome the opportunity to assist the
Children, Young People and Education Committee during the Fifth
Assembly term, in order to promote the professional status of
lecturers and improve the quality of student experience.
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