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Huw Lewis: Breaking link between poverty and academic achievement is priority Huw Lewis: Breaking link between poverty and academic achievement is priority
(about 14 hours later)
The education priority of the Welsh government should shift towards tackling the link between poverty and poor academic achievement, the education minister has said. Tackling the link between poverty and poor academic achievement must become one of the top Welsh government priorities, the education minister says.
Huw Lewis said the effects of poverty were apparent before children had even started school.Huw Lewis said the effects of poverty were apparent before children had even started school.
The comments came in his first major speech since taking the post in June.The comments came in his first major speech since taking the post in June.
"From tonight, cutting the link between deprivation and attainment becomes our top priority," he said.
He said issues with literacy and numeracy remained but plans were in place for improvement.He said issues with literacy and numeracy remained but plans were in place for improvement.
However, he criticised the "chronic inconsistency in the delivery of our key educational programmes".However, he criticised the "chronic inconsistency in the delivery of our key educational programmes".
The former education minister Leighton Andrews led the drive to improve the core skills in schools, bringing in the Literacy and Numeracy Framework.The former education minister Leighton Andrews led the drive to improve the core skills in schools, bringing in the Literacy and Numeracy Framework.
He also introduced national reading and numeracy tests, which started in May, and improving literacy and numeracy was made part of all subjects - not just English, Welsh and maths - from ages five to 14.He also introduced national reading and numeracy tests, which started in May, and improving literacy and numeracy was made part of all subjects - not just English, Welsh and maths - from ages five to 14.
Now, Mr Lewis has said the educational focus should shift elsewhere. Now, Mr Lewis has said the educational focus should shift.
He said: "I don't pretend for a moment that the core issues of literacy and numeracy are solved - but I am satisfied that through the Literacy and Numeracy Framework, through tests and greater accountability, we do at least have a plan. Speaking at the University of South Wales' Atrium campus in Cardiff on Tuesday evening, he said: "From tonight, cutting the link between deprivation and attainment becomes our first priority, alongside literacy and numeracy, and equal partner."
He went on: "I don't pretend for a moment that the core issues of literacy and numeracy are solved but I am satisfied that through the Literacy and Numeracy Framework, through tests and greater accountability, we do at least have a plan.
"I'm not confident any of us here tonight could say the same about tackling deprivation. That is something I intend to put right.""I'm not confident any of us here tonight could say the same about tackling deprivation. That is something I intend to put right."
He said that there were plenty of plans in place in Wales to improve schools and the outcomes for pupils but said they were often poorly implemented.He said that there were plenty of plans in place in Wales to improve schools and the outcomes for pupils but said they were often poorly implemented.
'Unforgiveable''Unforgiveable'
"Where we might expect an "A" for theory with these policies, I'm afraid that too often we are scraping pass marks when it comes to the practical," he said."Where we might expect an "A" for theory with these policies, I'm afraid that too often we are scraping pass marks when it comes to the practical," he said.
"We're suffering from chronic inconsistency in the delivery of our key educational programmes - and in a country as small as ours, this is unforgivable."We're suffering from chronic inconsistency in the delivery of our key educational programmes - and in a country as small as ours, this is unforgivable.
"In a country as small as ours, this should be readily fixable.""In a country as small as ours, this should be readily fixable."
Literacy and numeracy levels in Wales have been a concern in recent years.Literacy and numeracy levels in Wales have been a concern in recent years.
Wales lagged behind England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in reading, maths and science in the last international tests for 15-year-olds run by the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) in 2010. Wales lagged behind England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in reading, maths and science in the last international tests for 15 year olds run by the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) in 2010.
Out of 67 countries taking part, Wales was ranked 38th for reading, 40th for maths and 30th for the tests for science.Out of 67 countries taking part, Wales was ranked 38th for reading, 40th for maths and 30th for the tests for science.
Reports by the school inspection body Estyn also stressed that literacy and numeracy standards in Welsh schools needed to improve.Reports by the school inspection body Estyn also stressed that literacy and numeracy standards in Welsh schools needed to improve.