South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has slammed Senedd ministers following the resignation of a key reading expert from its Expert Literacy Panel, saying it “shows separatist failings are still embedded in the Welsh education system”.
Elizabeth Nonweiler, who has advised governments around the world on evidence based methods of teaching reading, said the group has achieved nothing in nearly a year.
Reading standards soared in England after reforms were introduced by the last Conservative Government, which made phonics mandatory.
Senedd ministers refused to follow suit, with the discredited cueing system still used in Welsh schools.
Mr Davies said this was “motivated by separatism” and “by a desire to be different to England”.
In international rankings, Welsh pupils score far behind those in England, and thousands of pupils leave primary school unable to read.
Commenting on her resignation, Mrs Nonweiler said, “this isn’t about politics or pride. It’s about children”, asking, “why should children in Wales have less chance of becoming literate than children in England?”
Mr Davies said:
“Senedd ministers refused to implement these reforms in Wales for one reason only: separatism. They did not want to copy England.
“The results have been catastrophic, with Welsh pupils falling further behind, and thousands leaving primary school unable to read.
“The comments from this leading expert are damning and show Senedd ministers are just paying lip service rather than pressing on with necessary reforms.”
ENDS
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