The Wasting Mule reports that Welsh schools inspectorate Estyn have education services in Merthyr and Monmouthshire were both "unsatisfactory" and recommended they be placed in special meas
They follow Blaenau Gwent, Anglesey and Pembrokeshire in requiring the highest level of Estyn support and monitoring – with four authorities still to be inspected.
An ongoing review into education delivery will consider whether school services should be managed centrally by the Welsh Government – and not local authorities.
Robert Hill, a former adviser to Prime Minister Tony Blair, has been charged with assessing the situation and Mr Andrews said he had “not ruled anything in or out”.
Mr Andrews told the Western Mail:
“I think what it (Estyn’s findings) demonstrates is that some small local authorities don’t have the strategic capacity to run a proper education service. This can’t go on.
Mr Andrews seems to be indicating that he considers some Authorities too small to be in charge of education.
The fact that there both social deprived Merthyr and affluent Monmouth both have been deemed unsatisfactory seems to back his case but we really need more information.
But I believe there's a case for creating a new Tier of Government of 5 authorities which will oversee Health,Policing Social Services and Education.
Comprising of 20 representatives elected by STV. They will have direct links to the Assembly Minister and will be charged making these areas work
At the same time each of the current authorities should have their numbers cut by about 20% ie about 200 and at the same time abolish the quangos and trusts associated with them.
This should mean that after establishment there will be no additional costs to the electorate even savings
But is suspect Leighton Andrews already knows what he wants and has made it clear to Robert Hill and he is using the Estyn reports as an excuse to peruse his own agenda .
Whether this will be to the ultimate benefit of Welsh Schools remains to be seen
.
2 comments:
Would it be correct to assume that one of the five regions you propose would cover the whole of north Wales? I suspect that would be devastating for the Welsh language in the northwest/ Gwynedd. It would in all likelyhood mean the ripping up of the one relatively successful Welsh language education policy in the traditional heartland as it gets subordinated to the whims and priorities of northeastern Labourites.
A fair point point as but I had already not base it on the current four police authorities but may be six would be a better number. but no more than eight.
Post a Comment