WAG must prioritise teacher development to help our children

12.10.00am GMT Wed 22nd Oct 2008

The Welsh Liberal Democrats will today challenge the Assembly Government on their failure to implement policies and structures to ensure quality and professionalism within teacher recruitment and development

Over recent months concerns have grown over the Assembly's failure to adequately direct funding where it is needed within the system. The Government has continued to invest in training more teachers despite only 41% of the 960 teachers trained in Wales in 2006/2007 going onto teach in Wales. They have failed to address the lack of newcomers signing up to become head teachers and declined to prepare for the impending shortage. They have inadequately invested in teacher development leaving the 2008/09 funding pot empty with 6 months of the year gone.

Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education said: "At a time when finances are tight at all levels we must make sure that the wheels are well-oiled and that the machine is working as efficiently as possible. We must ensure that funds are meticulously pinpointed to exactly where they are needed - there is no room for sloppy decisions anymore.

"The Government has ignored warnings that we must do more to motivate, incentivise and train our existing workforce, as is done in Scotland through the Chartered Teachers Programme, and is taking off in England.

"I am not saying that we must completely stop training new teachers - of course we must not - but we must refocus funds to incentivise teachers to continue to develop and update their teaching skills and to ensure we have a workforce which is up to date and enthusiastic about what they are teaching as they are benefiting from self-develop.

"Recent headlines have cautioned of the trouble brewing in the sector and yet the Furlong report, which warned of this imminent situation, was shelved by WAG several years ago.

"Money is now tighter than ever; we have more and more trained teachers struggling to find employment; the meagre development pot is already empty; 65 per cent of our heads are 50 or over and nearing retirement. Now is the time for the WAG to finally wake up to the need for funding and planning aimed directly at improving the quality, professionalism and drive of our teaching workforce. We have so many great but overworked and stressed teachers who need specific help and support to develop themselves and their teaching. It is not only our teachers who will benefit, ultimately it is also our children."

Notes:

The motion is as follows:

Item 6: Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate (60 mins)

NDM4042 Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of high quality teacher training programmes for recruiting and maintaining a motivated and professional workforce.

2. Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to:

a) ensure that teachers are protected from abuse at work.

b) address the potential crisis in the retention of head teachers

c) ensure that teacher training programmes in Wales are of the highest quality.

d) create opportunities for teachers to develop their skills and further their career within a teaching environment.

AMENDMENTS:

NDM4042

1. William Graham (South Wales East)

Add new sub-point at end of point 2:

'revise the practice of schools shedding senior management positions due to budgetary pressures.'

2. William Graham (South Wales East)

Add new sub-point at end of point 2:

'address the funding shortage in implementing the final stage of the Teacher Workload Agreement for September 2009.'

The Teacher Workload Agreement for September 2009 can be found at the following link:

http://www.tda.gov.uk/remodelling/nationalagreement.aspx

3. William Graham (South Wales East)

Add new sub-point at end of point 2:

'ensure that teachers are properly trained to identify potential special educational needs'.

4. William Graham (South Wales East)

Add new point at end of motion:

'Regrets the Welsh Assembly Government's delay in implementing the recommendations of the National Behaviour and Attendance Review.'

The National Behaviour and Attendance Review can be found at the following link:

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/educationskillsnews/2233523/?lang=en

5. Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

In point 2 insert "continue to" after "Welsh Assembly Government to"  

6. Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)

Delete point 2b and replace with:

"support the professional development and retention of Head Teachers in Wales"