Meetings

In light of the responses received from the Minister for Education, particularly in relation to the flexibility and school-led nature of the new curriculum, the Committee agreed that there is little further that it could achieve at this time. Members agreed to close the petition and wished to congratulate the petitioner on the example she sets in promoting Makaton to support children with communication difficulties and to encourage her to continue to raise the proposal, including with local schools.

The Committee considered further correspondence and agreed to write again to the Minister for Education, noting the position that schools will be able to determine which ‘international languages’ are most appropriate in their specific circumstances under the new curriculum, and ask what opportunities there would be for the Welsh Government (or others) to encourage or support more informal provision of Makaton in classrooms, such as through a daily sign.

The Committee considered the petition for the first time and agreed to write back to the Minister for Education to ask:

·         what opportunities there are for the Welsh Government to promote the benefits of providing opportunities for pupils to learn Makaton, or other forms of sign language, to schools in Wales, either through the new curriculum or other means; and

·         what other opportunities to learn Makaton such as adult education classes, are supported by the Government.