Education
Union calls for ‘immediate action’ to keep schools open in January
A TEACHERS’ union is calling on the Welsh Government to “take urgent action” to reduce the potential risk of further disruption to education as a result of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The surge of Covid cases in Wales, driven by the spread of the Omicron variant, is expected to cause significant staff absence issues when schools return next week.
Some schools need to start planning for pupils to return to online learning, Wales’ first minister said last week.
Mark Drakeford said teacher and staff illness will mean some pupils returning to home learning, but decisions would be made by individual councils, rather than the Welsh government.
The NASUWT union said its members “desperately want to be able to provide face-to-face teaching for all children and young people in the next academic term without further problems caused by the pandemic.”
While NAHT Cymru Director Laura Doel said: “The availability of staff is the biggest threat to education in January. Without the workforce fit and well, learners cannot go back to the classroom.”
The Welsh Conservatives want the government in Wales to “follow in the footsteps” of their English counterparts and invite “an army of ex-teachers to return to classrooms” in a bid to ease any potential pressure.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said teachers have been “on the frontline throughout the pandemic to support pupils and students and provide them with the best education possible.”
“However, the rising number of cases of the Omicron variant could cause significant disruption in the next academic term with many teachers being forced to self-isolate.
“The Welsh Government must take immediate action to ensure that schools can continue to operate safely and provide high quality education.
“This is particularly important to protect disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people who have often been affected most by the pandemic.”
The NASUWT is urging the Welsh Government to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission by providing government-funded air cleaning units to every school and college that needs these devices.
They are also calling on the Welsh Government to support household close contacts to self-isolate to reduce the risk of transmission and wider disruption within schools.
The union wants the government to commit to providing schools with more resources to enable on-site Covid testing.
The NASUWT has also called for improved financial support for schools and colleges to help with the cost of supply staff to cover for Covid-related absence.
Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official for Wales, said: “Teachers, pupils and students, and parents will be concerned about the potential risk of further disruption to schools caused by the Omicron variant.
“The Welsh Government must do everything it can to prevent schools from experiencing significant staffing problems next term and further damage to the education of children and young people.”
Staff availability, biggest threat to education.
NAHT Cymru Director Laura Doel said: “The availability of staff is the biggest threat to education in January.”
“Without the workforce fit and well, learners cannot go back to the classroom.”
“If LFTs for close contacts need to be taken for 7 days there must be a supply available for schools.”
“If track and trace are supposed to support the system we must ensure they have the capacity to do so and if parents are to understand what is required of them, there must be clear communication.”
“All of these elements need to be up and running next week to ensure the return to school is the success we want it to be.”
“The pressure on TTP system is an ongoing concern and therefore we maintain that classes should be designated as contact groups for testing purposes to bring consistency across all Local Authority areas and relieve the added pressure to trace close contacts, particularly in primary schools which is extremely difficult.”
“Given that staff availability has been a key area of concerns for months, NAHT Cymru believes prioritising the workforce for booster vaccinations was an opportunity missed.”
“It is too early to tell whether the new measures announced will be enough to keep schools open in January but we welcome the reintroduction of staggered session times and the planning days that will help schools manage their local situations.”
“Remote learning will remain a last resort, with staff absence and risk levels being the determining factors, but be assured that school leaders remain committed to doing all they can to support their learners and their families.”
The Welsh Conservative shadow education minister Laura Anne Jones MS said those who are recently retired, or trained as a teacher and moved career, should be asked to consider whether they can find even a day a week for the spring term to help protect face-to-face education.
She said: “Teachers have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic, doing an inspirational job to support their pupils and communities in the face of adversity.”
“However, the disruption to school life and extended periods at home mean pupils’ education has inevitably suffered, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
“With cases of Omicron increasing across the country we must make sure schools and colleges have the teachers available to remain open for face-to-face education.”
“We have to be prepared for the new term ahead, otherwise our children will again feel the brunt. A ‘call to arms’ such as we’ve seen from Nadhim Zahawi and the Conservatives is a great idea and one we should replicate in Wales.”
“I hope the Labour Government gets such a scheme up and running so we can increase support in the classroom and minimise disruption to our children’s education.”
DAMNING REPORT CALLS FOR RADICAL OVERHAUL OF WELSH HIGHER EDUCATION
A BOMBSHELL new report has branded Wales’ university sector as bloated, inefficient, and no longer fit for purpose—accusing it of churning out debt-ridden graduates with degrees that fail to match the needs of the modern economy.
The report, titled The University Industrial Complex and published by the Prydain Centre on Thursday (Apr 10), claims that the eight universities currently operating across Wales have evolved into “credential conveyor belts,” more concerned with racking up tuition fees than providing meaningful education.
In a searing analysis of the state of higher education, the authors argue that mass participation has eroded academic standards, with many students paying tens of thousands of pounds for degrees that leave them underemployed—or unemployed.
The key figures
According to the report, there are over 135,000 students enrolled in Welsh universities—despite Wales having a population of just 3.1 million. The average student debt upon graduation now exceeds £37,000, and one in three graduates finds themselves in non-graduate jobs five to ten years after leaving university.
“This isn’t education—it’s exploitation,” said lead author Chris Harries. “We’ve created a generation weighed down by debt, false promises, and qualifications that offer little in terms of real-world value.”
The paper argues that universities have become “visa mills” reliant on overseas student fees, while whole departments and even campuses are being shuttered due to financial pressures.
A new vision for Welsh higher education
The Prydain Centre proposes a sweeping set of reforms that would see the current eight universities reduced to just three elite institutions—each with a clear and distinct focus:
- Cardiff: a global leader in academic research, STEM and humanities.
- Swansea: a centre for applied sciences and industrial collaboration.
- Aberystwyth and Bangor: hubs for Welsh culture, environmental science and rural leadership.
Student numbers would be halved to around 65,000, with raised entry requirements and targeted support for disciplines linked to national priorities such as engineering, healthcare and technology.
Instead of encouraging mass enrolment, the report champions a shift toward merit-based admission and the reintroduction of rigorous academic standards.
From degrees to digital
In perhaps its boldest proposal, the report calls for the launch of a “Digital Knowledge Hub”—a free or low-cost online platform offering lectures, short courses and learning forums.
Built in partnership with leading universities and ed-tech firms, the hub would be accessible to anyone with an internet connection, enabling lifelong learning without incurring debt.
“Education must be about knowledge, not credentials,” said Harries. “This is not nostalgia for an elitist past. It’s a practical leap toward a fairer, smarter system.”
The case for consolidation
The Prydain Centre argues that maintaining eight institutions spreads resources too thinly and dilutes academic quality. By consolidating funding, the three remaining institutions could become internationally respected centres of excellence.
The estimated £500–600 million annual higher education budget would be more effectively used, the report claims, by reducing duplication and investing in talent, research, and student support.
It also acknowledges that the transition would require careful planning, with phased closures and support for affected staff and students, including relocation options and course transfers.
Calls for Government action
The report urges the Welsh Government to pilot the Digital Knowledge Hub as a first step toward system-wide reform. Ministers are being asked to consider a roadmap for consolidation and entry reform over the next five years.
“Wales has a choice,” the report concludes. “Maintain the failed status quo—or build a higher education system that commands global respect.”
The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a public consultation on its School Transport Policy, inviting residents to share their views as part of a wider review into the future of school transport provision.
The local authority currently provides daily transport to school or college for more than 4,500 eligible learners, at an annual cost of over £8 million.
While no specific changes are being proposed at this stage, the Council says public feedback will help shape future policy. Any changes arising from the review would need to be both deliverable and affordable, taking into account ongoing driver shortages and the wider financial pressures faced by the authority.
Should any amendments be made to the policy, they would come into effect from September 2026.
Residents have until Sunday, May 18, 2025, to complete the survey, which can be accessed online at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/school-transport-policy-consultation
Paper copies are also available by calling the Council’s Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or by emailing: school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
A PEMBROKESHIRE council application to demolish a disused school to make way for a potential housing development has been given the go-ahead by county planners.
Pembrokeshire County Council, through agent Asbri Planning, sought approval to demolish the former Hakin Infants School, Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven.
Works proposed also include the construction of a bat house and ecological enhancement area.
A supporting statement said: “The former school buildings are boarded up, whereas the gardens and play areas have become overgrown. This is one of three schools to close in the last decade within the local area, alongside Hubberston VC School and Hakin Junior School, which have already been demolished.
“This application forms part of a wider strategy for the site. An outline application for residential development will be submitted in order to confirm the development in principle in land use terms is acceptable. A reserved matters application would follow on from outline approval in order to confirm the details of the actual development to be built.”
It also sought permission for a bat box as a bat survey report “revealed that the building acts as a bat roost for low numbers of brown long-eared bats, greater horseshoe bats and lesser horseshoe bats.”
It finished: “The proposed work seeks to demolish and remove the former school buildings and surrounding hard standing within the eastern half of the site. The playing fields and vegetation located to the west of the site will remain unaffected by the demolition works and would therefore remain intact.”
The application was conditionally approved.
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