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New law to widen pupils' choice New law to widen pupils' choice
(about 1 hour later)
AMs are expected to pass a "Welsh law" later, which will ensure 14-to-19-year-olds are given a wider choice of subjects to study. AMs are expected to pass a "Welsh law" later which will ensure 14-to-19-year-olds are given a wider choice of subjects to study.
Schools and colleges will be expected to collaborate to offer vocational as well as traditional courses.Schools and colleges will be expected to collaborate to offer vocational as well as traditional courses.
The Learning and Skills measure is to deliver a more flexible curriculum which will appeal to more pupils. The learning and skills measure is to deliver a more flexible curriculum which will appeal to more pupils.
It is costing £32.5m to fund and it is designed to equip school leavers with a wider range of skills.It is costing £32.5m to fund and it is designed to equip school leavers with a wider range of skills.
Sophia Valentine, a student at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham, welcomed the extra choice on offer.Sophia Valentine, a student at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham, welcomed the extra choice on offer.
She said: "I've decided to take geography, history, business, child development and psychology and I'm taking them 'cos (they will) help me when older. She said: "I've decided to take geography, history, business, child development and psychology and I'm taking them 'cos (they will) help me when older.Sophia Valentine believes the extra choice 'opens more doors'
Sophia Valentine believes the extra choice 'opens more doors'
"I think they're good 'cos they vary, things like psychology, and law, and buildings which weren't there before and it opens more doors for people in their careers.""I think they're good 'cos they vary, things like psychology, and law, and buildings which weren't there before and it opens more doors for people in their careers."
Many schools and colleges are already trying to do widen the curriculum.Many schools and colleges are already trying to do widen the curriculum.
However, it has been a controversial topic.However, it has been a controversial topic.
Although teaching unions support the Learning and Skills Measure in principle many have criticised the logistics. Although teaching unions support the learning and skills measure in principle many have criticised the logistics.
For it to run successfully, schools and colleges need to collaborate but transporting pupils to and from different campuses costs time and money because you have to put on extra school transport, which is particularly difficult in rural areas.For it to run successfully, schools and colleges need to collaborate but transporting pupils to and from different campuses costs time and money because you have to put on extra school transport, which is particularly difficult in rural areas.
Add to that the fact that many head teachers are already extremely unhappy about an overall cut in sixth form and further education budgets.Add to that the fact that many head teachers are already extremely unhappy about an overall cut in sixth form and further education budgets.
They say they don't have the money to sustain the current system - let alone enforce a new one.They say they don't have the money to sustain the current system - let alone enforce a new one.
The Welsh teaching union, UCAC, has also raised concerns about the number of courses that can be offered through the medium of Welsh. Welsh teaching union UCAC has also raised concerns about the number of courses that can be offered through the medium of Welsh. Huw Foster Evans said there are 'substantial' challenges
Huw Foster Evans said there are 'substantial' challenges Huw Foster Evans, head teacher of Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, said challenges were "more substantial" because they were not in a situation where they can "easily cooperate with other local Welsh medium providers because of distances involved".
Head teacher of Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Huw Foster Evans, said challenges were "more substantial" because they were not in a situation where they can "easily cooperate with other local Welsh medium providers because of distances involved".
The measure has already gone through the committee stage. Amendments have been tabled, and once those have been discussed, assembly members take a vote.The measure has already gone through the committee stage. Amendments have been tabled, and once those have been discussed, assembly members take a vote.
If it is supported the measure goes to the Queens' Privy Council for Her Majesty's approval. If it is supported the measure goes to the Queens' Privy Council for approval.
That is likely to happen in the next month or so and then from September 2009, a non-statutory roll-out would begin.That is likely to happen in the next month or so and then from September 2009, a non-statutory roll-out would begin.
Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths, said the measure represents "a major landmark for education and training in Wales" and that it will "raise achievement and attainment and better prepare young people for high skilled employment or higher education." Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths, said the measure represents "a major landmark for education and training in Wales" and that it will "raise achievement and attainment and better prepare young people for high skilled employment or higher education."