A new inquiry is underway looking at how well teachers are trained and developed in Wales.
The National Assembly’s Children, Young People and Education Committee will consider claims in a report by Professor John Furlong that standards here fall short of international best practice.
Members will also examine what needs to be done to prepare teachers for a radical new curriculum, as recommended by the Donaldson Review, which looks at the delivery of education in Welsh schools.
In July 2016 the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams AM, announced that she intends to develop a workforce and leadership strategy to set out a clear and coherent picture of the way forward for teaching staff.
The Committee is specifically looking for views on:
- Arrangements for continuing professional development for the current workforce;
- The role of initial teacher education; and
- The sufficiency of the future workforce.
“The Welsh Government has ambitious plans for education in Wales,” said Lynne Neagle AM, Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.
“Introducing a radical new curriculum will require teaching staff with the highest skills and the confidence to use them.
“There must also be opportunities to develop those skills with career prospects further down the line.
“We intend to look at what teacher training arrangements are currently in place, how effective they are, the role of initial teacher education, and whether these measures sufficient for the future.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to the inquiry should visit the Committee’s consultation page for more information, email SeneddCYPE@assembly.wales, or contact the Committee through Twitter @SeneddCype.