WALES’ education system is in turmoil, with an alarming new report from Estyn exposing deep-rooted issues plaguing schools across the country. The watchdog’s findings highlight “stubbornly low” attendance rates, a critical shortage of teachers, and a growing crisis in pupil behaviour, all of which have worsened under Labour’s leadership of the Welsh Government.

The report warns that the continued failure to address these systemic problems is leading to declining educational standards and increasing pressures on teachers, many of whom are leaving the profession due to stress and inadequate support. With concerns mounting, opposition parties have called for urgent action to reverse the decline and restore confidence in Welsh education.

Schools under pressure

Estyn’s findings reveal a bleak picture of the current state of schools in Wales. Pupil absenteeism remains persistently high, with attendance figures showing no significant improvement since the COVID-19 pandemic. This, coupled with recruitment difficulties, has left many schools struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels, further exacerbating the challenges facing educators.

Adding to the crisis, Estyn highlights deteriorating pupil behaviour, with reports of increased disruption in classrooms leading to talented teachers leaving the profession. The watchdog criticises the Welsh Government for failing to provide clear guidance and sufficient resources to tackle these pressing issues.

Political fallout

Reacting to the report, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, condemned Labour’s handling of the education system, stating: “The Welsh Conservatives have long warned about the crises facing our schools—soaring absenteeism, teacher recruitment struggles, and rising school violence.

“Estyn’s report makes it clear that pupil attendance is ‘stubbornly low,’ recruitment issues are undermining educational standards, and pupil behaviour is driving talented professionals out of teaching.

“Labour’s failure to address these challenges has left Welsh education in crisis. Weak guidance, underfunding, and a lack of support for teachers are failing our children. Welsh education is broken under Labour—only the Welsh Conservatives can fix it.”

The Welsh Government has yet to formally respond to the criticisms, but Labour ministers have previously defended their education policies, pointing to ongoing investments in school infrastructure and teacher training programmes. However, critics argue that these efforts have fallen short, leaving schools ill-equipped to tackle the fundamental issues identified in Estyn’s report.

Calls for urgent reform

Education unions and opposition parties are now demanding immediate intervention to prevent further decline. Among the key recommendations are increased funding for schools, stronger behavioural policies, and targeted support for struggling pupils. There are also calls for a review of teacher recruitment strategies to attract and retain high-quality educators.

With Welsh education at a crossroads, the pressure is mounting on the Labour-led government to take decisive action. As schools continue to grapple with these mounting challenges, the future of education in Wales remains uncertain, with many questioning whether real change will be delivered before it is too late.

THE OUTGOING head of a new public body set up to oversee post-16 education warned of “massive challenges”, with cuts proposed at universities across the country.

Simon Pirotte, chief executive of Medr, which was established in August, appeared before the Senedd’s education committee for a scrutiny meeting on February 6.

Medr is responsible for funding and regulating post-16 education and research, including colleges and school sixth forms unlike its predecessor Hefcw.

Mr Pirotte told the committee: “A lot has happened within that six months and I think we’re really aware of the responsibility of the role at such an important time.

“Let’s be honest: we’re taking over responsibility for post-16 education at a time of great change and some massive challenges.”

Addressing concerns about proposed university job cuts and course closures, he said: “It’s important for me to recognise that we’re probably in a very tumultuous time in education, particularly with some of the proposals around our higher education system at the moment.

“And I just want to go on record as saying we really understand the concerns and the challenges that staff are facing during this difficult time.”

The former Bridgend College principal, who has been in education for nearly 40 years, said the transition from Hefcw to Medr has been smooth despite volatility in the sector.

Mr Pirotte was appointed by education minister Jeremy Miles despite not being part of the initial open application process, prompting concerns around transparency and fairness.

He told Senedd members that Medr is optimistic a good field of candidates will be available to replace him when his term as chief executive ends in September.

James Owen, Medr’s chief operating officer, a former Welsh Government director, said a six-month delay in the legislation coming into force helped get the body up-and-running.

Mr Pirotte stressed the need to establish a “tertiary mindset” to avoid working in silos, creating a more joined-up approach between further and higher education.

The Conservatives’ Natasha Asghar asked about Medr’s assessment of the financial pressures as well as support for Welsh universities to navigate the crisis.

Mr Pirotte said Medr is monitoring the situation very, very closely but: “There are limits to what we can do, we are a regulator but our job is to appraise Welsh Government of the challenges that our higher education institutions are actually facing.

“We know that many universities are going through transformational change at the moment to ensure their longer-term sustainability.”

Mr Owen added that Medr conducts an in-depth analysis of financial statements, student numbers, forecasts and borrowing levels at each university.

Asked if Medr would intervene to stop proposals for 400 job losses at Cardiff University, Mr Pirotte said: “I think we need to recognise that universities are autonomous organisations and there are limitations to what we can do as a regulator.”

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, asked what Medr would like to see happen to place universities on a more sustainable financial footing.

Mr Pirotte said: “There is absolutely no doubt that universities across the UK and indeed in Wales are facing some of the most challenging times they’ve faced.

“I’ve listened to Professor Paul Boyle, chair of Universities Wales, saying this is the most difficult time in his career and I agree with that assessment.”

The chief executive told the committee: “As an educationalist, would I like to see more money coming in? Of course I would.”

Explaining that Medr will focus scrutiny on learner protection plans in the event of disruption or closures, he added: “We cannot direct the university to say you must do subject X or Y.”

Mr Pirotte, who was on free school meals at Morriston Comprehensive in Swansea, stressed the importance of ensuring a wide cross-section of society can enjoy the same opportunities.

He said: “We have a systemic issue that we need to address across the UK. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about the key role that universities have as anchoring institutions in their regions … what they do for economic growth, what they do for individuals.

“And I think there’s a wider question about what kind of university system do we want in the UK and indeed in Wales.”

NUTRITIOUS, Delicious and Local is the theme of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s educational Food Story event in March. School children from across the county, from years two to 11, will learn how food and drink are produced locally.

The event, sponsored by NFU Mutual, the CLA Charitable Trust and Women in Wales, will take place on 5 and 6 March 2025 on the Pembrokeshire County Showground. There will be machinery and animals at the event with farmers from across the county on hand to explain practically how they produce food and care for the countryside.

Kathy Wilson, a former teacher and now an Honorary Pembrokeshire Show Governor, is managing the organisation of the event with the staff from the show office on behalf of the Society’s Food Story / Stori Bwyd.

Kathy said, “The response has been extremely positive to our previous Food Story events which have had pancake, barbecue and harvest themes. We hope local school children will learn a lot about where their food comes from when they attend our event in March. We are very grateful to all the farmers and supporters who are volunteering their time to make this event happen.”

During the event, which schools will attend at allotted times, there will also be an opportunity to meet businesses from the local area, learn about health and well-being as well as how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are used to produce food locally. The event will also touch on how the weather and climate can affect the work farmers do and how the crops grow. Children will also get an opportunity to cook and enjoy tasting locally produced food and drink. 

All primary and secondary schools across the county have been contacted inviting them to attend with a booking form to complete as there will be a choice between a morning and afternoon session. If teachers have not received the email but would like to attend the event could they please email the Pembrokeshire Showground Office: [email protected] as soon as possible.