Today, the Welsh Government published its ‘Statement of Priorities’ for the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research. ColegauCymru warmly welcomes the commitment to put learners at the heart of the system. Chief Executive David Hagendyk said,
“Today is a significant step towards the formal establishment of the Commission later this year and we wholeheartedly welcome the strong focus on learners. Genuinely putting learners at the heart of the system will help drive momentum towards the long-term structural changes that are overdue and needed for the future.
There is a welcome commitment to further strengthen parity of esteem between vocational and academic routes and the focus on clearer pathways for learners of all ages, including adult learners and apprentices.
While there is much to welcome, it is critical that the Commission grasps the true scale of the challenge and the need for reform. In particular the Commission must work with the Welsh Government to ensure there is a clear 14-19 Learning and Transition Pathway for young people taking their first steps into post-16 education. The introduction of the Commission is one of the most significant reforms to the architecture of our education system since devolution. With public finances under significant pressure, it is time to be ambitious in tackling the long-standing challenges we face, and we look forward to working with the Commission as they develop their response to these priorities.”
Further Information
Rachel Cable, Director of Policy and Public Affairs
Rachel.Cable@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
