Latest news with #NatashaAsghar
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour's approach to maths just doesn't add up, says Newport's Asghar
Newport MS Natasha Asghar says young people in Wales are being failed by poor standards of maths in schools. The Welsh Conservatives have raised concerns after a report by Estyn inspectors highlighted significant variation in teaching quality, inadequate training and a lack of understanding of the curriculum. Shadow cabinet secretary for education, Ms Asghar, said: "This report lays bare the systemic failings of the Welsh Labour Government. "After 26 years in charge, Labour continues to let students down by poor teaching standards and a lack of support for teachers. "These are not just statistics; they represent real opportunities lost for our young people." Earlier this week the Welsh Conservatives criticised Labour's announcement of £44million in grants for schools, stating that they were failing to prioritise core subjects. Ms Asghar said: "Labour's track record on education in Wales highlights their continued failure to make the right calls." She continued: "Maths is the backbone of our future economy, from AI to engineering, and we cannot afford to undermine it. "Yet Labour's weak guidance, chronic underfunding, and lack of support for teachers are failing our schools and jeopardising the future prospects of our children.'
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Universities in Wales 'not at risk of short-term collapse'
Universities in Wales 'not at risk of short-term collapse' But there is a list of longer-term issues, experts have warned No Welsh university is at risk of collapse in the short-term but the sector faces real challenges in the medium-term. The head of Medr, a public body which oversees post-16 education, has said if universities cannot generate more money they will have to consider scaling back or stopping activities. Simon Pirotte, chief executive of Medr, told the Senedd's education committee: "There are massive challenges facing the whole of the tertiary sector at the moment." He said higher education establishments, schools, further education colleges, apprenticeship providers, and adult community providers are "all facing financial pressures". Medr has assessed financial statements of Wales' universities and does not believe "any institution in Wales is at risk of failure in the immediate short term". However referencing data published by Medr last week he said universities faced a £61m operating deficit in 2023-24 compared with a £21m surplus in 2022-23. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Asked by Conservative MS Natasha Asghar whether the deficit could grow he said: "'Yes' is the simple answer but what we don't know yet is the final impact of the kind of measures that organisations are taking at the moment. "The future is really challenging… that's why institutions are addressing the issues now – because they have to otherwise that situation would get worse." Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell asked how close some universities are to going into administration. 'How close are we to some sort of meltdown?' he asked. Article continues below "We're not saying there's an institution that is in danger of falling over in the short term but there are medium- to longer-term challenges….This is not easy – the reason that they're taking the actions that they are doing now is to prevent that falling over further down the line," Mr Pirotte said. "Almost 100 institutions across the UK have announced restructuring measures," he said. "So these are challenging times but it's also essential that institutions cure their financial sustainability and continue to provide those best experiences for learners and I think it's fair to say that this requires some difficult decisions." He said: "You have to identify additional sources of income and if that isn't possible you have to consider scaling back or stopping certain activities. And this is the situation facing most institutions in Wales and indeed across the UK." He said more than half of costs in the sector are associated with staffing and said a 2.5% annual pay settlement for higher education has added £22m to the bill while the increase in the employer national insurance costs put on another £20m. 'Employer contributions for teachers' pension schemes, which particularly affects four of our institutions across Wales, is estimated to cost £6m a year," he said. He also cited inflationary pressures, energy costs, increasing cybersecurity risks, a downturn in the number of international students, and the loss of EU structural funds. Mr Pirotte estimated increases in tuition fees to £9,535 a year will generate an additional income of about £36m but warned it will not be enough to plug the gap. Article continues below
Pembrokeshire Herald
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Breaking barriers in motorsport: Abi Penny's mission to inspire the next generation
SENEDD Members warned 'something must be done' with smartphones causing disruption in classrooms and fuelling mental health problems among pupils. Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the petitions committee, led a debate in the Senedd on May 14 amid a growing chorus of calls for restrictions on mobile phone use in schools. The committee launched an inquiry in response to a 3,369-name petition submitted by Zena Blackwell, publishing a report with recommendations for the Welsh Government. Ms Thomas told the Senedd her committee found no clear consensus, urging Welsh ministers to introduce national guidance rather than an outright ban. Pointing out that 83% of children have a smartphone by Year 6, she said: 'Classroom teachers… told us phones cause all sorts of problems in schools, we heard some quite shocking evidence on this.' But she raised evidence from the children's commissioner, NSPCC, Barnardo's, and Parents Voices in Wales, which all expressed concerns about a ban. The Labour politician, who represents North Wales, pointed to evidence from Diabetes UK that smartphones help children manage their condition throughout the schoolday. Labour MS Carolyn Thomas Ms Thomas added that exemptions could be required for young carers and disabled or neurodivergent children who may similarly rely on their smartphones. 'We all struggle with the addictive nature of phones,' she said. 'There's the strong argument that children are that much more vulnerable and need greater protection. 'But they also need to learn how to safely function in a digital world. Legislators, and society in general, are still struggling to find the right answers.' She said: 'The evidence base is still quite limited but growing all the time. As a committee, we felt strongly that 'something has to be done' but actions need to be evidence-based.' Calling for guidance to ensure a consistent approach across the country, she emphasised the importance of parental engagement and being mindful of teachers' workloads. South Wales East MS Natasha Asghar, the Conservatives' shadow education secretary, similarly said: 'We cannot continue with the… status quo – something needs to give.' South Wales East Senedd Member Natasha Asghar But Ms Asghar went further than the committee in supporting an outright ban on smartphones, save for exceptional circumstances such as medical needs. She told the Senedd: 'Mobile phones can indeed be a major distraction, taking our students' focus away from learning, which is exactly what schools are for.' Ms Asghar pointed to research showing pupils in schools with an effective ban achieved GCSE results up to two grades higher compared to children in schools with laxer policies. Criticising plans to let Welsh schools set their own restrictions, she said: 'The evidence shows that simply doesn't work, with one in eight pupils saying schools never confiscate phones even when rules forbidding them are indeed ignored.' With more and more countries 'waking up to the damage phones are doing in our schools', Ms Asghar called for a non-ambiguous approach to ensure consistency. She said: 'I believe a ban, which sees phones locked up at the start of each school day in lockers and retrieved at the end of the day, is the best approach. It's the right thing for teachers, it's the right thing for children and it's the right thing for parents.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, suggested national guidance with local implementation by schools would be the best way ahead. Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell Mr Campbell said: 'We have to strike the right balance… between not harming learners – and there is evidence, of course, that that's happening – and, on the other hand, preparing them for the technical world we live in today.' John Griffiths emphasised the importance of considering screen use at home as well as in school, with children from 'alarmingly' young ages spending a lot of time on smartphones. The Labour Senedd Member, who represents Newport East, expressed concerns about psychologists being drafted in to make mobile phone games as addictive as possible. 'I see evidence of that in my own family, as I'm sure just about everyone else does,' he said. Rhys ab Owen, an independent member of the petitions committee, agreed phones can be more of a problem at home with children staying up late at night. 'Very often that's when the bullying happens, at home rather than at school,' he said. Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell Backing an outright ban, the Tories' Gareth Davies raised restrictions introduced by France from 2018 with a 'digital pause' seeing pupils hand over phones at the start of the day. Lynne Neagle set out the Welsh Government's formal response to the report, accepting three of the committee's five recommendations in full and the other two in principle. Wales' education secretary said: 'Like the committee, I recognise that an outright national ban does not allow the space for schools to manage the needs of their learners. Lynne Neagle, cabinet secretary for education 'Our approach has always been to give schools autonomy to make decisions on the use of mobile phones… however, I also recognise the need for additional support.' Ms Neagle told the Senedd an expert group will examine mobile phone use, developing national guidance and exemptions alongside the wider school community.
Pembrokeshire Herald
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Senedd debates calls for smartphone-free schools
SENEDD Members warned 'something must be done' with smartphones causing disruption in classrooms and fuelling mental health problems among pupils. Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the petitions committee, led a debate in the Senedd on May 14 amid a growing chorus of calls for restrictions on mobile phone use in schools. The committee launched an inquiry in response to a 3,369-name petition submitted by Zena Blackwell, publishing a report with recommendations for the Welsh Government. Ms Thomas told the Senedd her committee found no clear consensus, urging Welsh ministers to introduce national guidance rather than an outright ban. Pointing out that 83% of children have a smartphone by Year 6, she said: 'Classroom teachers… told us phones cause all sorts of problems in schools, we heard some quite shocking evidence on this.' But she raised evidence from the children's commissioner, NSPCC, Barnardo's, and Parents Voices in Wales, which all expressed concerns about a ban. The Labour politician, who represents North Wales, pointed to evidence from Diabetes UK that smartphones help children manage their condition throughout the schoolday. Labour MS Carolyn Thomas Ms Thomas added that exemptions could be required for young carers and disabled or neurodivergent children who may similarly rely on their smartphones. 'We all struggle with the addictive nature of phones,' she said. 'There's the strong argument that children are that much more vulnerable and need greater protection. 'But they also need to learn how to safely function in a digital world. Legislators, and society in general, are still struggling to find the right answers.' She said: 'The evidence base is still quite limited but growing all the time. As a committee, we felt strongly that 'something has to be done' but actions need to be evidence-based.' Calling for guidance to ensure a consistent approach across the country, she emphasised the importance of parental engagement and being mindful of teachers' workloads. South Wales East MS Natasha Asghar, the Conservatives' shadow education secretary, similarly said: 'We cannot continue with the… status quo – something needs to give.' South Wales East Senedd Member Natasha Asghar But Ms Asghar went further than the committee in supporting an outright ban on smartphones, save for exceptional circumstances such as medical needs. She told the Senedd: 'Mobile phones can indeed be a major distraction, taking our students' focus away from learning, which is exactly what schools are for.' Ms Asghar pointed to research showing pupils in schools with an effective ban achieved GCSE results up to two grades higher compared to children in schools with laxer policies. Criticising plans to let Welsh schools set their own restrictions, she said: 'The evidence shows that simply doesn't work, with one in eight pupils saying schools never confiscate phones even when rules forbidding them are indeed ignored.' With more and more countries 'waking up to the damage phones are doing in our schools', Ms Asghar called for a non-ambiguous approach to ensure consistency. She said: 'I believe a ban, which sees phones locked up at the start of each school day in lockers and retrieved at the end of the day, is the best approach. It's the right thing for teachers, it's the right thing for children and it's the right thing for parents.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, suggested national guidance with local implementation by schools would be the best way ahead. Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell Mr Campbell said: 'We have to strike the right balance… between not harming learners – and there is evidence, of course, that that's happening – and, on the other hand, preparing them for the technical world we live in today.' John Griffiths emphasised the importance of considering screen use at home as well as in school, with children from 'alarmingly' young ages spending a lot of time on smartphones. The Labour Senedd Member, who represents Newport East, expressed concerns about psychologists being drafted in to make mobile phone games as addictive as possible. 'I see evidence of that in my own family, as I'm sure just about everyone else does,' he said. Rhys ab Owen, an independent member of the petitions committee, agreed phones can be more of a problem at home with children staying up late at night. 'Very often that's when the bullying happens, at home rather than at school,' he said. Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell Backing an outright ban, the Tories' Gareth Davies raised restrictions introduced by France from 2018 with a 'digital pause' seeing pupils hand over phones at the start of the day. Lynne Neagle set out the Welsh Government's formal response to the report, accepting three of the committee's five recommendations in full and the other two in principle. Wales' education secretary said: 'Like the committee, I recognise that an outright national ban does not allow the space for schools to manage the needs of their learners. Lynne Neagle, cabinet secretary for education 'Our approach has always been to give schools autonomy to make decisions on the use of mobile phones… however, I also recognise the need for additional support.' Ms Neagle told the Senedd an expert group will examine mobile phone use, developing national guidance and exemptions alongside the wider school community.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Concern lesson plans encouraged strangulation during sex
A council has been criticised for creating a PowerPoint presentation that appeared to endorse strangulation during sex that was intended to be used in schools. The slides included the sentence: "It is never OK to start choking someone without asking them first." Bridgend council said it was part of a "draft version", never shown to children and the slides were dropped following feedback from professionals. But experts and politician Natasha Asghar have asked why the Welsh authority "deemed appropriate" to include an illegal act in any draft of the presentation. Bridgend council commissioned the school resource from their in-house domestic abuse service, called Assia, and a presentation was leaked last year. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Wales' First Minister Eluned Morgan were among those sent an open letter raising concerns of parents and professionals that deliver sex education lessons. Claire Waxman, the victims' commissioner for London, also told The Times that the material was "deeply concerning". Former Conservative MEP Baroness Jacqueline Foster also spoke out, telling Parliament non-fatal strangulation was a criminal offence that could be punished with imprisonment. The Welsh government said non-fatal strangulation was "dangerous and illegal" and added the resources Bridgend council gave schools "make this clear". Bridgend council have since issued a "clarification" statement that said "the slides were part of inaccurate or out-of-date information that was either updated or removed". But it raised further questions as to why the material and messaging existed in the first place, so BBC Wales asked them for more information. The authority said the slide was part of an "active presentation". "The idea was that the presenter would use the slide to stimulate debate before advising participants that non-fatal strangulation is actually a dangerous, illegal crime which carries significant penalties," said Bridgend council's statement. They said that part of the presentation was dropped following feedback from professionals consulted during the drafting process. Sources including Michael Conroy, who trains professionals like teachers to deliver sex education lessons, have told the BBC that they understand the presentation was offered to schools and youth settings to show. However, the council denied this and said it was only sent "as a work in progress with a small group of professionals for their insight and views". "It was presented as this is what we will teach to children, there was intention there," said Mr Conroy, a former personal, social and health education co-ordinator in schools, who did not receive the presentation from the council directly. When Mr Conroy first saw the slide in question, he said it was "terrifying" and there was not any additional information about safety on other slides. "The idea that someone is saying it's OK to strangle a person if you get a 'yes' is atrocious," added Mr Conroy of Men at Work. "It's the opposite of safeguarding, it's a terrible breach of trust." Welsh Parliament member Asghar said she had been contacted by "concerned parents" and called for Bridgend council to release the material. "I'm requesting both versions of this PowerPoint presentation," said the Conservative Senedd member who sits on the Children, Young People and Education Committee. "We shouldn't disguise the fact those responsible for creating the content originally deemed this appropriate. We need to look into this to make sure children are being taught properly." Despite the council saying that the slide was not to be used in isolation, she said: "It does not negate from that fact those responsible for the content originally deemed it appropriate. This is where I have my concerns." Asghar said she had written to the council leader but was without a reply. The example has raised concerns from parents, experts and politicians about what is being taught to children in school during sex education lessons. "I know government will dismiss this as the work of just one sex ed provider but all parents should ask to see the materials their children are being taught in PHSE," said Fiona Mackenzie, who led a campaign to end the so-called rough sex defence in the Domestic Abuse bill. "This is up to government to take control of sex ed materials, opening sex ed up to the market means anyone can set up to tell children how to have sex." Bridgend council said in a statement: "We want to again confirm that local children are not being taught to believe that dangerous sexual behaviour is acceptable as long as consent is in place." The Welsh government reiterated that "at no point were inappropriate materials shared for use in schools or seen by learners". They said they had given extra funding to provide "expertise and support" to schools and local authorities and make sure resources were "age appropriate and in line with legal requirements". "We have always been clear that any resources must be developmentally appropriate and in line with the legal requirements of the mandatory Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Code," the Welsh government statement added. The UK government has been approached for comment. If you've been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line.
