Schools need teachers, not breakfasts

3.35.15pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 14th Mar 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has challenged the Education Minister over her priorities for schools.

At the Assembly last week, Ms Williams expressed concern at the emphasis given to the 'Free School breakfast' programme, just as Powys County Council is considering teacher redundancies.

Ms Williams said: "Powys may lose up to 70 teachers this year because of cuts in education. While of course I recognise the importance of a good breakfast to a child's wellbeing, resources are finite. When it comes to a choice between the two, I would rather see teachers in classrooms than breakfasts. The Labour Assembly Government clearly does not share my priorities, and I am concerned that it is our children's education that will suffer."