Education

Funding boost fails to prevent deep cuts at Welsh universities

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

DESPITE a third round of financial support from the Welsh Government, universities across Wales continue to face significant job losses and course closures, prompting criticism from opposition leaders.

The Welsh Labour Government has announced an additional £19 million funding package for higher education, with £18.5 million directed at institutional challenges and £500,000 allocated for international student recruitment. This follows an earlier increase in the tuition fee cap, projected to generate up to £21.9 million in additional income next year, and an extra £10 million allocated last autumn.

However, the new funding has not been enough to prevent deep financial crises at some of Wales’ largest universities. Cardiff University has confirmed 400 job cuts—7% of its workforce—and plans to close multiple degree programs, including nursing, music, ancient history, and modern languages, due to a £31.2 million funding shortfall.

The news led to a protest on the steps of The Senedd earlier this month where hundreds came out against the plans.

Swansea University has extended its savings plan by £30 million, with further staff departures expected after 342 job losses in the past 18 months. Meanwhile, the University of South Wales is bracing for significant staff reductions and course closures, with a projected £20 million deficit.

The financial pressures stem from declining international student enrollment, rising costs, and recent visa rule changes affecting postgraduate admissions. Despite the Welsh Government’s financial interventions, Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells stated that no additional emergency funding will be provided, instead placing responsibility on universities to manage their budgets effectively.

The response has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, accused Labour of failing to protect Welsh education: “Under Labour, we are seeing the hollowing out of Welsh educational and research institutions. Labour’s increase in national insurance contributions will have only exacerbated the financial situation being faced by our universities. We urgently need to see a review into higher education and research funding in Wales.”

Labour, however, maintains that its funding increases are a response to years of underfunding by the UK Conservative Government. In a statement, Vikki Howells defended the government’s approach: “Universities across Wales are anchor institutions in our economy, our communities, and our culture. This funding will contribute to the longer-term sustainability of universities and ensure that this Welsh Labour Government provides opportunities for students today and in the future.”

While Labour insists that it is doing what it can within its budget, critics argue that the current level of support is insufficient to prevent job losses and course closures, raising calls for a full-scale review of higher education funding. With no immediate relief in sight, university staff and students face an uncertain future in a sector under increasing financial strain.

Pictured above: Protesters on the steps of the Senedd campaigning over potential job losses at Cardiff University earlier this month (Image: supplied)

Education

Pembrokeshire school wins national climate innovation award

Published

2 days ago

June 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi praised for pioneering ideas to protect rivers, wildlife and the environment

A PEMBROKESHIRE school has been recognised at a prestigious Wales-wide climate awards ceremony after pupils impressed judges with innovative ideas to tackle biodiversity loss and water pollution.

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi was named the winner of the Protect and Restore Nature category in Keep Wales Tidy’s Climate Challenge Cymru competition, inspired by The Earthshot Prize.

The school earned the award for a series of creative environmental solutions, including proposals for solar-powered systems designed to help protect rivers and lakes while improving local biodiversity.

Pupils and staff travelled to Cardiff to receive the award during a special ceremony held on Wednesday (June 17), where they were presented with their trophy by ecologist and nature campaigner Joe Wilkins.

Climate Challenge Cymru invited primary and secondary schools from across Wales to submit short videos showcasing innovative ideas to tackle one of five major environmental challenges, known as the Earthshots. These included creating a waste-free world, improving air quality, tackling climate change, protecting nature and restoring the world’s oceans.

The Pembrokeshire school’s winning entry stood out for its imaginative approach to protecting natural habitats and improving water quality through sustainable technology.

Lucy Vaughan, Geography Teacher and Leader of Pupil Voice at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, said: “I have been so impressed with all of the amazing entries that have been shared at this prestigious event and am immensely proud of our pupils for winning this challenge.

“The creativity, passion, teamwork and commitment they have shown have been truly inspiring. Their innovative ideas and determination to make a positive difference for the environment give me real hope for the future.”

Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire praised the standard of entries from schools across Wales.

He said: “It has been a privilege to spend the day at Climate Challenge Cymru, surrounded by the ideas and ambition of young people from right across Wales.

“The projects on display are a testament not only to their creativity but to their resolve to make a real difference in Wales and beyond. Seeing the next generation lead with such confidence gives me every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.”

The competition is organised by Keep Wales Tidy’s Eco-Schools team in partnership with the Welsh Government and is inspired by The Earthshot Prize, the international environmental initiative launched by Prince William to encourage practical solutions to the world’s biggest environmental challenges.

The success of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi highlights the growing role Pembrokeshire’s young people are playing in developing innovative ideas to tackle environmental issues, particularly those affecting the county’s rivers, coastline and wildlife.

Photo caption: Award winners: Pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi celebrate after winning the Protect and Restore Nature category at the Climate Challenge Cymru awards in Cardiff, alongside Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire (left) and ecologist Joe Wilkins (right).

Education

Welsh-medium provision to be expanded in some urban areas of Carmarthenshire

Published

3 days ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.”

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

3 days ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.