While Samuel Kurtz MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Welsh Language, has expressed support for the aspiration to increase the number of Welsh speakers in Wales, concerns persist regarding the lack of detail in the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill. Kurtz has warned that the legislation risks undermining educational standards, overburdening teachers, and misallocating vital resources.
The Welsh Conservatives are calling on the Welsh Government to address these concerns by providing further clarification on the Bill, including the development of a dedicated workforce plan, concerns that have also been expressed by the Senedd’s Education Committee.
Commenting on the Bill, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“While we, as Welsh Conservatives, wholeheartedly support the promotion and teaching of the Welsh language, Labour must ensure that this Bill does not divert attention away from the areas they have neglected over the past 26 years in power; namely, literacy, numeracy, and the widening attainment gap.
“It is therefore essential that the Welsh Government provides the necessary details within this Bill, demonstrating that the education of our children remains a priority, and that Wales’ teaching staff are adequately supported to achieve these ambitions.”
