The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has written to every primary school in the Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend area seeking their views and experiences about the roll out of the Foundation Phase for 3 to 7 year olds.
The Foundation Phase is a revolutionary method of teaching young children through the medium of play. It has all-party support and is due to begin in Welsh infant schools from September. But local authorities have warned that the government has failed to back the plan with enough cash to fund the one to eight teacher-pupil ratio it requires. Current levels of funding fail to allow schools to employ adequate staff, to train existing staff, to retain staff during the Autumn and Spring Term, to make buildings ready for the demands of the new curriculum and adequately resource classrooms.
"While I support the aims of the scheme, it will only be able to have the desired effect if it is properly resourced and schools are able to meet the aims it sets," said Mr Black. "However there is growing concern in the education sector and in local education authorities that these targets will not be met. The government have put in a further £5 million from the existing education budget but there is still a £15 million shortfall on what head teachers think they will need."
"I am writing to the head teacher of every primary school in my region in order to seek their views on what the situation will be come September, as well as to reassure them that the Welsh Liberal Democrats at least are trying to hold the government to account on this scheme. Politicians are often criticised for not consulting people enough, which is why I hope head teachers write back to me detailing their own individual concerns about this scheme and enabling us to build a wider picture of the situation locally."
