‘We need to be able to scrutinise Bill and its consequences thoroughly’ – AM
Commenting on the Welsh Government confirming the changes to the curriculum are being brought forward before the summer, Shadow Welsh Conservative Education Minister, Suzy Davies AM, said: “I would like to thank all the teachers and support staff who have worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for students and young people to attend a school so that their parents as key workers can continue their vital frontline roles in the fight against Covid19, and to all the parents who have adapted to continue their child’s education at home at this time.
“Today the Welsh Government has said that they will be bringing forward their new curriculum bill before the summer recess with scrutiny taking place in the autumn. However, it’s currently unclear how much of a dent the Covid19 lockdown activity has made in schools’ preparedness for the changes. I would like to hear from the Minister how she has been assured by school leaders that they will still be ready for the new curriculum.
“This is also a significant change in the law with a number of controversial elements. This Bill would certainly not lend itself to scrutiny via Zoom – and with the sector quite rightly focusing on the effects of Covid19 longer term as well as its most urgent demands, we must be certain that a Committee’s call for written evidence won’t be lost.
“All Assembly Members need to be confident that we can scrutinise this Bill and its consequences thoroughly. As with the Local Government Bill, Welsh Government should not have left major flagship legislation to the end of this Assembly term. Any attempt to reduce scrutiny and let AMs improve the proposals will lose the Welsh Conservatives’ tentative interest in this Bill.”
