Statement from the First Minister on NAAC

Llywydd,

I was hoping my first statement to this chamber as First Minister was going to be about our educational reforms and our strategy going forward however more dire news must be addressed first. Yesterday it was announced two school in Ynys Môn will be closing due to RAAC Concrete, those being Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi and Ysgol David Hughes. For the members that do not know the schools are located in Holyhead and Menai Bridge respectively.

Children were meant to return to these schools today and I am personally glad this was found out the day before and not the day after. This issue is not limited to schools however as in three hospitals, those being Withybush Hospital in Pembrokeshire, Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth in Ceredigion and Nevill Hall Hospital, in Abergavenny in Mônmouthshire. While the impact is not certain the hospitals at this time are not shutting down and both health boards are confident this will not affect service in these areas.

I do not unfortunately know the full extent of this growing issue as local authorities are still looking into the matter. However we will adapt our strategy with the times and if it becomes clear our strategy isn't working then we will change it immediately as these issues won't go away on their own.

I would like to assure the Welsh people that as First Minister if I am not satisfied your school is safe then I will not allow your kids to go there as we will not endanger people’s lives. I can also say that if we find out that your kids' schools are not safe after they’ve entered we will order the school to shut immediately, this may inconvenience many parents however we can’t risk it, as i’m sure many can understand. We will also address the issue immediately, hence why, using the numbers of the Education Secretary of the United Kingdom, if this issue is contained to the two northern schools we will commit £4,000,000 to repair these schools along with money to give to the schools for immediate action. Any and all costs will be fully published in the next Welsh budget.

Action will consist of two main things, depending on the situation. If the issue is contained with only some schools in some areas being affected then we will ask local schools and local community centres to help facilitate these students with the priority being year 10s and 11s due to their GCSE examinations. Our second approach for students might have to be homeschool learning if there is not enough capacity or if the issue becomes long term. I acknowledge this isn't ideal for many however we have very limited options with it being the beginning of the new school year. We must ensure however that these kids in Ynys Môn are still getting the education they deserve and that the rest of Wales is getting.

If the issue does become a long term issue and the government is not satisfied that the children's education are not of the quality they deserve I will personally write to the Welsh Joint Education Committee and ask that special consideration be taken on their examinations on this basis, ensuring our children’s futures are not endangered by a decision made before they were even born. I will also write to other examination boards if colleges and universities are affected, however at this time I assure all Welsh university students that the Welsh Government is not aware of any threats to them.

Diolch.

This statement was made and presented by Dyn-Cymru, First Minister of Wales and Minister of Education and Cymraeg on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Debate on this statement will end on Friday 8th September at 10pm BST.