WAG must try harder on class sizes - Welsh Lib Dems

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 2nd Oct 2007

The Assembly Government is failing children in Wales through its lack of ambition on class sizes according to Kirsty Williams, education spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Ms Williams was speaking ahead of an attempt by the party to ensure 25 as the maximum class size for all primary classes by 2011.

The opposition party motion put forward by the Welsh Lib Dems has been met with a "complacent" amendment by the Government which only notes that further action is needed to ensure that primary classes contain no more than 30 pupils.

Ms Williams said:

"Far from wanting to start its term with ambitious and radical action to improve learning conditions, the Assembly Government is content to rest on its laurels.

"This complacent attitude is summed up by their response to our challenge to reduce class sizes to a maximum of 25.They are only willing to note that more needs to be done to ensure that there are no classes over 30. Our motion has a clear message for the Government - must try harder!

"30 per class as a maximum is still too many. We must bring that figure down so that teachers have more time for our youngest children. Individual teachers' attention is essential for pupils' development at a key stage in their learning.

"Our motion will try and shake the Government out of its laidback attitude on this. The new minister must apply herself properly to this challenge.

"Once 25 is accepted as a maximum then the average class size will fall way below that and standards will rise. Working to get those class sizes that are above 30 down to 30 is simply not good enough. I hope on hearing our arguments for a lower maximum, the Government will take up the challenge."

Notes/Nodiadau:

The motion will be debated tomorrow and reads

Item 6: Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate (30 mins)

NDM3680 Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

The National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that achieving good learning conditions for all pupils is a priority;

2. Notes that there are still too many classes in too many primary schools that are too large;

3. Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to work to ensure 25 as the maximum class size for all primary classes by the end of this Assembly term.

Government amendment:

Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

Deletepoints 2 and 3 and replace with:

2. Notes the further action needed to ensure that primary school classes contain no more than 30 pupils per teacher;

3. Endorses the One Wales commitment to further radical action in this field.