Estyn, the education inspectorate in Wales, has unveiled a critical report highlighting both behavioural and recruitment challenges faced by schools across the nation. The report underscores the effectiveness of schools with robust policies formed collaboratively with pupils and parents in mitigating behavioural issues. However, it also brings to light the pressing difficulties in recruiting qualified educational staff, a situation that threatens the quality of education in Wales.
Estyn's leadership addressed these concerns during a session with the Children, Young People and Education Committee. They pointed out that the shortage of qualified teachers is not only lowering education standards but also forcing secondary schools to curtail their curriculum offerings.
"We see secondary schools now that have to limit the curriculum because they can't recruit teachers in those subjects," said Mr. Evans, Estyn's chief inspector.
Education Secretary Lynne Neagle acknowledged the significant hurdles faced by the Welsh education workforce. She expressed gratitude for their continued efforts under trying circumstances.
"Through continued dialogue with education partners, I understand the scale of the difficulties being faced every day and I am thankful for the hard work of the education workforce across Wales," Neagle stated.
In light of these challenges, the Welsh government has pledged an additional £20 million for the 2024-25 academic year to bolster school standards and provide necessary support.
"In recognition of the pressures our schools are facing, I want to provide as much funding as possible to raise school standards and support our learners to thrive," Neagle added.
Despite these efforts, retention and recruitment remain problematic. Estyn's chief inspector, Owen Evans, voiced concerns about the diminishing pool of school staff, while disagreeing with the Education Workforce Council's assessment of stability in the situation.
"I don't expect that stable situation to continue," Evans remarked.
Particularly worrisome is the recruitment for key subjects such as mathematics, where secondary headteachers report receiving only one applicant per vacancy. Often, these candidates do not meet employment standards. Both Evans and strategic director Claire Morgan have raised alarms over numeracy levels in Wales.
"If we're to get numeracy right we have to get the quality of maths teaching right first, because standards in mathematics are too low," emphasized Claire Morgan.
