Simon Thomas AM
Responding the to the First Minister’s announcement that £2.3m is to be invested to boost science education in schools, the Party of Wales Shadow Education Minister Simon Thomas said:
“The is a long-established worry in the education profession that the Welsh Government’s focus on literacy and numeracy will mean less of a focus on science in future. This is a particular concern for the economy, particularly as we try to strengthen our performance in research and development and the manufacturing industries. That’s why Plaid Cymru last week announced our proposal to improve the teaching of sciences by adapting existing subjects such as ICT and Design and Technology into Digital Engineering and Technical Engineering, so that we can ensure that the skills that students learn are the skills that they will need as they enter the workplace.
“Currently there are too few teachers specialising in science and with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach the subject, particularly at higher levels. That’s why the announcement that the Welsh Government is to invest in raising standards in science teaching in Welsh schools and colleges is to be welcomed. I hope that the extra funding will be used to encourage talented science graduates to teach in schools and colleges, raising standards in the subject.”
