Simon Thomas AM
Plaid’s Shadow Education Minister has warned that the First Minister cannot deflect responsibility over education by blaming the structure of Local Authorities, and has demanded that he take responsibility for his own party’s failure to deliver robust and consistent provision of education services.
The Party of Wales AM has been angered by the First Minister’s comments where he blamed Local Authorities for being “incapable of improving education in their area”. Simon Thomas pointed out that of the six Local Authorities that currently have education services in special measures, three of them are Labour-run, with Labour part of a ruling coalition in the fourth.
The Party of Wales Shadow Education Minister Simon Thomas said:
“It is astonishing that the First Minister is trying to deflect responsibility over his government’s failure to deliver high quality education throughout Wales to the twenty-two Local Authorities.
“While Local Government may need reform, this does not detract from the need for strong leadership from the party of government. The Labour Party has been in charge of education since the beginning of devolution, and yet the government itself admits that standards are seriously lacking.
“The First Minister has admitted that Labour is unable to deliver high quality education services at Local Government level across Wales. Instead of complaining about how lines lie on the map, he should take political leadership to ensure that Local Authorities deliver on what they are supposed to achieve.
“The Welsh Government has announced an endless parade of reviews, working groups, consultations and external advisers. But hiding behind these will not detract from the fact that this government is failing to deliver high quality education for Welsh pupils. It needs to take responsibility.”
