Inquiry5

The Children, Young People and Education Committee undertook a specific piece of work to consider the provision of textbooks and learning resources for pupils taking reformed general qualifications (GCSEs and A Levels) in Wales. The Committee was particularly concerned about the availability of Welsh medium resources and the resources available in specific subjects.

December 2017

The Committee questioned Qualifications Wales during the scrutiny session on its Annual Report, on 6 December 2017.

January 2018

The Committee wrote to (PDF 94KB) the Cabinet Secretary for Education. The Cabinet Secretary responded on 31 January 2018 (PDF 200KB).

February / March 2018

Following consideration of the response from the Cabinet Secretary, the Committee wrote to the WJEC and Qualifications Wales on 22 February 2018 (PDF 145KB). Responses were received from the WJEC (PDF 93KB) and Qualifications Wales (PDF 203KB) on 13 March 2018.

The Committee agreed to hold a one-off scrutiny session with WJEC and Qualifications Wales and consulted key stakeholders (PDF 149KB) to seek their views on the issue.

April 2018

Responses to the targeted consultation were received from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr; Cabinet Secretary for Education; Regional Consortia – Joint Response; Estyn; NASUWT; NAHT Cymru; UCAC.

The Assembly’s Outreach team, on behalf of the Committee, undertook engagement with schools across Wales. Video interviews with pupils and teachers, providing their views on the provision of textbooks and learning resources, were recorded as evidence to support the inquiry.

WJEC (PDF 176KB) and Qualifications Wales (PDF 271KB) both wrote to the Committee on 20 April 2018 ahead of the one-off scrutiny session.

May 2018

On 2 May 2018, the Committee held an evidence session with the WJEC and Qualifications Wales. The Committee also viewed the video interviews recorded, and was provided with a brief on the interviews that were conducted.

Report

Report on the inquiry into Provision of textbooks and learning resources for pupils (PDF 176KB)

A short video is available that summarise the committee’s report.

Welsh Government Response (PDF 271KB)