Watchdog to turn spotlight on cash for education scheme

Apr 28 2008 by Katie Bodinger, Western Mail

A COMMITTEE will investigate the controversial issue of funding for a scheme set to revolutionise the way young children are taught.

Teachers claim the Foundation Phase, which is being launched across Wales in September, is doomed to fail because of a cash shortfall.

There is universal backing of the new curriculum, which focuses on learning through play for children aged three to seven and with a ratio of one staff member to every eight children.

Assembly Member Alun Cairns, chairman of the finance committee, said the inquiry would take evidence from teaching unions, local authorities and head teachers and will be asking the Education Minister, Jane Hutt, to respond.

She has previously insisted there is sufficient funding for the initiative – £107m for all schools over three years.

He said: “There has been concern about the cost of the Foundation Phase on local authorities, so I think it will be very worthwhile for the committee to look into this. We aim to issue the call for evidence as soon as we can and invite interested parties to talk to the committee.”

Welsh members of the National Association of Headteachers are set to put a motion forward at their UK conference on May 2 in Liverpool, voicing their deep concerns over the lack of funding to implement the scheme.

Iwan Guy, acting director of NAHT Cymru, said: “The pilot schools have done a great job in proving that well directed play-based teaching can provide world class teaching for our youngest pupils. But the pilot schools have also shown that success depends on the right number of well-trained teachers and learning assistants being available in each class, to stimulate learning and develop thinkers from an early stage.

“Headteachers have rarely been as angry over any issue as they are at the moment. They are determined to protect the futures of young people in their care and will campaign as vocally and as vigorously as possible.”

David Pedwell, headteacher of Oakfield Primary School in Cardiff, estimates his school is looking at a £25,000 shortfall. He believes capital costs and employing extra staff to introduce the new curriculum will cost around £55,000 – but the school is unlikely to receive more than £30,000.

He welcomed the news that AMs would investigate the issue.

“We will be unable to deliver the Foundation Phase unless adequate resources are made available,” he said. “We don’t believe any watered down version in financial terms is good enough.”

David Griffiths, head teacher of Peterston Super Ely Church in Wales Primary in the Vale of Glamorgan, said he hoped the inquiry would show what teachers already knew – that a better financial package was needed.

“It’s got the support of the profession but if it is going to work, it has to be funded properly,” said Mr Griffiths. “I’m delighted an inquiry will be held. Hopefully they will listen to us and will realise that the money isn’t there to make it viable.”

The learning-through-play curriculum, which is based on Scandinavian education systems, has been piloted in Wales since 2004. It proved so successful WAG agreed to roll it out by 2010 to all three to seven-year-olds. Schools saw improved behaviour, attendance and better achievements by pupils.