Following the results of the Progress International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), where England is fourth out of 43 countries, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Education, Laura Anne Jones MS, is questioning why the Labour Government did not enter Welsh children.
The study is recognised as the global standard for assessing the reading ability of children at the fourth grade. Responding to the news, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Education, Laura Anne Jones MS said:
“I am really concerned as to what the Welsh Government has to hide by not taking part in this study. Is it because after 25 years of Wales under Labour we have falling literacy skills, an ever-growing attainment gap and dropping teacher numbers?
“All of this is compounded with the Labour Government cutting the education budget in real terms this year, harming our children’s future even further.
“Labour should not be hiding from scrutiny on how well our children are doing but like us should be setting out a clear plan to boost teacher numbers and ensure our young people have the best start in life to achieve.”
