Meetings

NDM7811 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the hard work and dedication of teachers and school staff across Wales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Acknowledges that teachers in Wales continue to face unprecedented pressures as we move out of the pandemic and implement a new curriculum.

3. Believes that falling teacher numbers in Wales will adversely impact the ability of learners to overcome the adverse impact of the pandemic on their education.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently bring forward a plan to boost teacher recruitment, which includes:

a) setting targets to deliver 5,000 teachers across Wales in the next five years;

b) refunding tuition fees for those who go on to work as teachers for at least five years in Welsh schools;

c) establishing a Welsh education advisory service to improve access to employment opportunities and establish more pathways into the teaching profession;

d) guaranteeing all newly qualified teachers with at least one year of employment in a Welsh school or college.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

2. Expresses its gratitude to the entire education workforce for prioritizing the wellbeing of learners and its commitment to implementing the new curriculum despite the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic

3. Believes the wellbeing of the education workforce is of paramount importance.

4. Recognises that professional learning is essential for a high-quality and motivated workforce.

5. Condemns the Westminster Government’s public sector pay freeze and the impact it has on teachers at a time of unprecedented pressure on the workforce

6. Welcomes that:

a) there was a 40 per cent increase in applications for teaching courses last year. 

b) salaries for new teachers in Wales have increased 15.9 per cent since 2019 and that the Welsh Government helped deliver a 1.75 per cent) pay rise for all teachers this year despite the public sector pay freeze.

c) Welsh Government additional funding this financial year has helped match over 400 newly qualified teachers with schools.

d) Wales’s focus on teachers’ professional learning has been found to be “exceptional in comparison to many other OECD jurisdictions and provides a strong basis for the enhancement of professional learning in schools”.

e) Wales is leading the way with a statutory whole-school approach framework guidance, which is designed to support the wellbeing of staff as well as learners 

OECD Education Policy Perspectives - Teachers’ Professional Learning Study: Diagnostic Report for Wales

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Believes that falling teacher numbers are influenced by a myriad of factors, including workload, unnecessary bureaucracy, staffing and personnel issues, inspection processes, as well as funding and budgeting related issues;

Further believes that addressing recruitment issues has to be a multi-pronged approach, focusing on valuing the profession and creating better working conditions and opportunities.

 

 

The item started at 17.26

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7811 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the hard work and dedication of teachers and school staff across Wales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Acknowledges that teachers in Wales continue to face unprecedented pressures as we move out of the pandemic and implement a new curriculum.

3. Believes that falling teacher numbers in Wales will adversely impact the ability of learners to overcome the adverse impact of the pandemic on their education.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to urgently bring forward a plan to boost teacher recruitment, which includes:

a) setting targets to deliver 5,000 teachers across Wales in the next five years;

b) refunding tuition fees for those who go on to work as teachers for at least five years in Welsh schools;

c) establishing a Welsh education advisory service to improve access to employment opportunities and establish more pathways into the teaching profession;

d) guaranteeing all newly qualified teachers with at least one year of employment in a Welsh school or college.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
15	0	41	56

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

2. Expresses its gratitude to the entire education workforce for prioritizing the wellbeing of learners and its commitment to implementing the new curriculum despite the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic

3. Believes the wellbeing of the education workforce is of paramount importance.

4. Recognises that professional learning is essential for a high-quality and motivated workforce.

5. Condemns the Westminster Government’s public sector pay freeze and the impact it has on teachers at a time of unprecedented pressure on the workforce

6. Welcomes that:

a) there was a 40 per cent increase in applications for teaching courses last year. 

b) salaries for new teachers in Wales have increased 15.9 per cent since 2019 and that the Welsh Government helped deliver a 1.75 per cent) pay rise for all teachers this year despite the public sector pay freeze.

c) Welsh Government additional funding this financial year has helped match over 400 newly qualified teachers with schools.

d) Wales’s focus on teachers’ professional learning has been found to be “exceptional in comparison to many other OECD jurisdictions and provides a strong basis for the enhancement of professional learning in schools”.

e) Wales is leading the way with a statutory whole-school approach framework guidance, which is designed to support the wellbeing of staff as well as learners 

OECD Education Policy Perspectives - Teachers’ Professional Learning Study: Diagnostic Report for Wales

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	0	27	56

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7811 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the hard work and dedication of teachers and school staff across Wales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Expresses its gratitude to the entire education workforce for prioritizing the wellbeing of learners and its commitment to implementing the new curriculum despite the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic

3. Believes the wellbeing of the education workforce is of paramount importance.

4. Recognises that professional learning is essential for a high-quality and motivated workforce.

5. Condemns the Westminster Government’s public sector pay freeze and the impact it has on teachers at a time of unprecedented pressure on the workforce

6. Welcomes that:

a) there was a 40 per cent increase in applications for teaching courses last year. 

b) salaries for new teachers in Wales have increased 15.9 per cent since 2019 and that the Welsh Government helped deliver a 1.75 per cent) pay rise for all teachers this year despite the public sector pay freeze.

c) Welsh Government additional funding this financial year has helped match over 400 newly qualified teachers with schools.

d) Wales’s focus on teachers’ professional learning has been found to be “exceptional in comparison to many other OECD jurisdictions and provides a strong basis for the enhancement of professional learning in schools”.

e) Wales is leading the way with a statutory whole-school approach framework guidance, which is designed to support the wellbeing of staff as well as learners 

OECD Education Policy Perspectives - Teachers’ Professional Learning Study: Diagnostic Report for Wales

For	Abstain	Against	Total
41	0	15	56

The motion as amended was agreed.