The Welsh Conservatives have raised serious concerns following the release of a damning report by Estyn inspectors, highlighting persistently low maths standards in Welsh schools. The report details significant variation in teaching quality, inadequate training for teachers, and a concerning lack of understanding of the new Curriculum for Wales.
The findings also highlight the most recent PISA results where Welsh teenagers are falling behind their UK counterparts, with tests showing a decline in maths proficiency as well as English and Science. The report also notes that the performance gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their peers has widened, further exacerbating educational inequalities.
Earlier this week, the Welsh Conservatives criticised Labour’s announcement of £44 million in grants for schools. This round of grants includes £8.7million for maths, literacy, science & technology, while funding music £12 million. Highlighting Labour’s continuing failure to prioritise core subjects for which Wales continues to lag behind the rest of the UK.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, 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.
“Labour’s track record on education in Wales highlights their continued failure to make the right calls. This was evident again this week when they announced grants that failed to prioritise core subject areas where improvement is most urgently needed.
“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.”
