Government complacency on education 'not good enough' - Kirsty Williams

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 3rd Oct 2007

Welsh Lib Dems in the Assembly will focus on learning conditions today, as they press the Government to lower class sizes and work towards a better learning environment for our schoolchildren.

Education spokesperson Kirsty Williams AM said: "Labour broke their promise to get all school buildings fit for purpose by 2011. However, I don't want to see any more complacency from the new Government.

"I want reassurances that there will be a realistic timetable for improving this situation. Better school buildings mean a wider curriculum available to our children, and can even improve achievement

"I'm also concerned that the Government aren't taking lower class sizes seriously. I want to see 25 as the maximum primary class size.

"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.

"Yet the Government's amendment to our motion only notes that further action is needed to ensure that primary classes contain no more than 30 pupils. This simply isn't good enough, and the Government must aim higher for our schoolchildren.

"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. I think Welsh schoolchildren deserve better."

Notes/Nodiadau:

The Welsh Liberal Democrat are holding two debates today. The motions read:

Item 7: 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.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment - Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

Delete points 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."

Item 8: Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate (30 mins)

NDM3681 Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

The National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that many school buildings are in need of repair and upgrading;

2. Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to put in place a realistic timetable and to provide sufficient resources to ensure that all schools are fit for purpose;

3. Urges the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure, in partnership with local authorities, that the funding provided for school building work is fully used for that purpose.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment - Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

Delete all after 'The National Assembly for Wales' and replace with:

"1. Recognises the on-going programme of repair and upgrading of school buildings in Wales;

2. Welcomes the One Wales commitment to continue a major building programme to upgrade school buildings, exceeding the sums provided over the past four years."