NAHT Cymru comments on the appointment of the new education minister for Wales

Today (13 May), Jeremy Miles was appointed as the new education minister for Wales. Commenting after the announcement, Laura Doel, director of the school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said:

“With the new education minister for Wales in post, now is the time to talk with NAHT Cymru about addressing the key issues facing our schools and children. We urge the minister and every Senedd member to focus on NAHT Cymru’s manifesto priorities of wellbeing, funding, accountability, curriculum reform and additional learning needs (ALN).

“We hope the new minister will make working with the profession his top priority, and sit down with the trade unions as soon as possible to discuss covid recovery and the education reform agenda.

“The profession cannot be held to a pre-covid timeline for the new curriculum and ALN reform, when recovery and the wellbeing of learners and staff must take centre stage. We are all keen to embark on the reform journey, but we must be in the right place if it is to be successful.”

“Kerina Hanson, president of NAHT Cymru, said: “NAHT Cymru keeps children and education at the heart of everything we do, and we expect our elected Senedd members to do the same, led by the Government and the new minister for education.

“Now’s the time for the new minister and Government to show their commitment to #NAHTCymruPledge and support the experts in our schools by adopting our priorities for the future of education in Wales.”

The manifesto is at: https://www.naht.org.uk/members-home/naht-cymru/naht-cymru-news/naht-cymru-calls-for-our-education-priorities-to-be-at-the-heart-of-the-senedd-elections-2021/