In a letter to Wales’s teaching unions, Welsh Labour Leadership candidate, Carwyn Jones, has reiterated his commitment to increase education spending by at least 1%, if he becomes First Minister.
His message comes just ahead of the close of the ballot to elect Rhodri Morgan’s successor. Voting in the leadership election ends at 5pm today.
In his letter, Carwyn told members of the NASUWT Cymru, NUT Cymru, UCAC, UCU, ATL Cymru and NAHT Cymru:
“I am writing to share with you my vision for education in Wales in the future, should be I be successful in that election. A vision, which I hope you will agree, amounts to a comprehensive set of policies that seek to give Wales’s children the very best start in life.”
Elaborating on his pledge to increase spending on education from 2011 onwards, Carwyn Jones told Welsh teachers that it was ambition to put Wales on a par with England in the years to come, when it comes to expenditure:
“I believe that education is the route out of poverty and, as a consequence, my government would look to increase education spending by at least 1% above the percentage increase in the block grant we receive from the UK Government to ensure the best outcomes for Welsh children, with a sharp focus on inequalities in education. I want to see the gap in education spending between Wales and England closed and I will seek to initiate this increase from 2011-2012.”
Setting-out the core education principles in his manifesto, Mr Jones said:
“Our Foundation Phase and Welsh Baccalaureate have pioneered change in schools in Wales. I will continue to promote these programmes, and parity of esteem between vocational and academic routes, and ensure that local authorities adequately fund our schools. We need to continue to innovate, and our 14-19 agenda should offer a wider range of vocational and academic opportunities.”
Mr Jones emphasised the importance of placing skills at the centre Wales’ economic recovery, by saying:
“We have to continue our strong skills agenda, to ensure that we compete in the world on knowledge rather than low pay. I would like to see a much greater focus on skills for research and development, with schemes to roll out good ideas extended to private companies.”
He concluded his letter by pledging to work in partnership with all teaching unions in Wales, saying:
“Of course, many of my policies can only be introduced by working with teaching unions in Wales. I look forward, if elected, to discussing and engaging with your organisation to bring my vision to fruition, in the years to come.”
