We can’t letWales’ children slip behind

WHEN the coronavirus pandemic struck and schools shut in March it was so sudden everyone was caught unawares – schools, pupils, parents and the politicians tasked with leading us through this mess.

Three months on, a lot of work has been done by some schools and teachers – but, it would appear, not all. It is alarming to read that some children across the UK are doing just two-and-a-half hours of schoolwork a day at home while schools are shut.

The findings in UCL’s Institute of Education report show online learning is particularly bad in Wales, with only 2% of children here having four or more online meetings or lessons daily. This compares with a UK-wide average of 7% and a London average of 12.5%.

For offline work only 14.6% of Welsh children receive four or more offline lessons a day (the second lowest figure in the UK), compared to 27.7% in south-east England.

These comparisons make uncomfortable reading although there will be many pupils, teachers and schools working harder than these averages.

However, at a time when we lack data and information about how remote learning is working for children and schools across Wales, we don’t really know the true picture.

This is worrying when the continued pandemic means schools will not be fully open in September and “blended” learning, mostly at home, will continue for some time to come.

It is now vital the Welsh Government carries out an urgent inquiry into what home learning really looks like across Wales so it can plan for the “blended learning” we are hearing so much about.

The UCL survey may be a limited sample, but as Plaid Cymru Shadow Education Minister Siân Gwenllian says, it paints a concerning picture of education during lockdown – one which is reinforced by anecdotal evidence.

Education is vital to Wales’ future, its economy, the mental and physical health of its people. It is also essential to coming out of this pandemic as successfully as we can.

Wales has made strides in attainment in recent years. Education Minister Kirsty Williams has expressed her determination for our education system to be world standard.

Covid-19 has disrupted all our lives. We must not let it disrupt the education of a generation. Everyone must work together to ensure the best education we can deliver.