'Government complacency failing Welsh schoolchildren'

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 3rd Oct 2007

Kirsty Williams today condemned the Government for failing to support Welsh Lib Dem proposals to make a real difference to class sizes and dilapidated school buildings.

Education spokesperson Ms Williams said: "Labour broke their promise to make all Welsh school buildings fit for purpose by 2011.

"Today, they shied away from supporting our calls for a realistic timetable for carrying out this work. They also failed to support our calls to set the maximum primary class size at 25 instead of 30.

"30 per class is too many. Young children need individual attention at a key point in their development, and the Government aren't aiming high enough for pupils in Wales.

"Welsh Liberal Democrats are ambitious for young people in Wales. We want to see a better learning environment for our young people, one that helps them achieve. We want to see lower class sizes and facilities that allow our young people to achieve more. I'm disappointed the Government don't share our ambition."

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