Why Wales fails

IT’S obvious from the way in which they’re tumbling down the international league tables that Welsh schools are in crisis.

Most children aren’t reaching their full potential; 20 per cent are leaving school illiterate, innumerate or both, and many are destined to become social and financial liabilities. Employers constantly complain about school-leavers lacking basic skills. These failings are having a huge impact on the ability of Wales to compete in the global market place. They’re ensuring that this country continues as a low-income, low productivity nation.

Why is this being allowed to happen? The Government has spent billions over the past 15 years, but standards have continued to fall.

Over the same period, many countries which are higher in the international league tables have spent far less than Wales and are still improving. So it isn’t simply a matter of finance.

Since the Assembly was formed, the Government has commissioned almost 1,000 studies, reviews, reports, investigations, etc, including nearly 100 in the past year . There has been no shortage of professional advice.

In its annual reports, Estyn, the independent schools inspectorate, has repeatedly raised the issue of inadequate teaching and leadership.

Its 2014 report said ‘professional development of teachers in Wales has not been as effective as in other countries’ and ‘the quality of leadership in schools is uneven’.

Since last year, the proportion of ‘unsatisfactory’ secondary schools has increased from 14 to 23 per cent.

In a recent Governmentcommissioned review, Professor Ralph T abberer, former UK director general of schools, reported that Initial T eacher Training (ITT) in Wales should do much better.

He noted that progress since a previous review in 2006 had been slow.

It’s evident that the problems lie in poor quality teaching and leadership as a result of an inadequate selection process, poor quality teacher training , and failure to deal with those who under-perform. Before it’s too late, the Government must face up to this issue.

V. WARD, Port Talbot, Neath.