What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary undertaken of the adequacy of the 21st Century Schools Programme in terms of meeting increasing demand for Welsh-medium school places and supporting the ambition for 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050?
Provision of Welsh medium places to meet demand is already a consideration within the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme. By the end of the first five year wave of investment, around 30% of the funding allocated will have gone to Welsh medium schools.
All projects within the Programme are supported by a business case that sets out the case for strategic alignment, value for money, and affordability. The assessment of business cases includes specific checks on alignment with Welsh Government policy and the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan of the local authority concerned.
Aled Roberts has been appointed to provide a rapid review of the Local Authority Welsh in Education Strategic Plans. He will provide an independent view of the current planning of Welsh medium education as well as headline recommendations for improvements.