Foundation Phase Mark II?

1.30.00pm GMT Tue 2nd Dec 2008

Kirsty Williams AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education, has warned that the Assembly Government's Proposed Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2008 is in danger of becoming Foundation Phase Fiasco Round II; with huge concerns over the implementation and finances of the proposals.

Kirsty Williams sits on the cross party committee for the proposed measure which has today published its report criticising the proposals and calling for a number of key areas to be addressed before the legislation is proceeded. The Measure seeks to legislate for the Assembly Government's 14-19 learning and skills agenda.

Last week saw the Finance Committee's equally damning report on the Measure; which stated that more evidence was needed showing adequate financial provision to implement the measure before proceeding further.

Kirsty said: "As in the case of the Foundation Phase my concerns are not with the purpose of the measure - the aims and philosophy of the proposals, for greater choice and collaboration, are indeed welcome.

"My concerns lie with the practicalities of implementing the measure and the likelihood that this expensive scheme will not be funded adequately to be fully effective.

"I believe that the Government's proposals to implement the Measure by September are too soon, as the measure will require revolutionary changes on the front line which will take time and money to prepare for as well as implement.

"The practical issues of transporting students between institutions, which will be particularly problematic and expensive in rural areas, do not seem to have been fully considered under the Minister's measure.

"The Minister and Government officials did not hold up to scrutiny on the intricacies of the proposals and on essential questions about the need for additional regulations - without the detail this measure will not work.

"Young adults must be at the heart of these changes, and for them to truly benefit from the sound principles of this measure it must be implemented competently - this requires resources and planning down to the detail."

Notes:

The report sets out a number of key areas in the proposed Measure which either require amendment at Stage 2 or need to be addressed by the Minister:

• Grounds for decisions on entitlement, including an appeals process;

• Excluded pupils;

• Consultation when planning local area curricula;

• The duty to consider collaboration;

• Funding structures;

• The use of IT in delivering collaboration;

• Training regulations;

• The ability for pupils with additional learning needs to participate;

• Learner Support Services;

• Welsh-medium provision and the Welsh medium education strategy;

• Impact on faith schools;

• Implementation timescale;

• Assessment of costs - as outlined by the Finance Committee