‘Over £100m invested in education across valley’
THE Cynon Valley has benefited more from investment in education than any other part of Wales, it has been claimed.
AM Vikki Howells has said more than £100m has been invested in the valley, and she is proud that it has benefited from new and improved educational facilities under the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme.
Speaking at the Senedd on October 27, Mrs Howells said First Minister Carwyn Jones recently attended the official opening of the new £22m Coleg y Cymoedd campus in Aberdare. But she said there is evidence that the further education sector isn’t as successful as perhaps it could be in tapping into the available funding.
Mrs Howells asked Mr Jones: “In terms of the important role further education has in providing choice to learners and in boosting skills, how is the government engaging with the sector so that it can maximise the benefits of the programme?”
Mr Jones said the programme aims to target investment at schools and colleges in the poorest condition and to deliver sustainable and cost-effective building.
He told Mrs Howells: “We are seeking to take forward the programme over the next few years, building on the success of the programme over the last few years.”