Making Education Count in Wales

Activists in Wales launched the Make Education Count network with a cross-party panel discussion on the future priorities of the first minister-elect Carwyn Jones.

Alun Davies AM

Taking place just a day after Carwyn was elected to succeed Rhodri Morgan as leader of Welsh Labour and as the next first minister, UCU activists listened to speakers from all four parties and put questions to them on funding, third mission activities of universities, governance and an end to FE incorporation.

Chaired by UCU Wales Council chair, Peter Jones, the four speakers were:

- Nerys Evans AM (Education spokesperson for Plaid Cymru)

- Paul Davies AM (Shadow Education Minister, Welsh Conservatives)

- Jenny Randerson AM (Education Spokesperson, Welsh Liberal Democrats)

- Alun Davies AM (Welsh Labour)

More than twenty UCU activists attended the launch, with good representation from both further and higher education and from across Wales.

Paul Davies AM

The key points made by speakers from all parties were:

• concern over the five per cent ‘efficiency gain’ proposed for both FE and HE in the assembly budget;
• action needed to address the investment gap between the HE sectors in Wales and England;
• the vital role FE and HE have in leading Wales out of the recession – and that the loss of lecturing jobs will lead to a fall in the volume of learning and in the quality of the student experience;
• disappointment at the content of the ‘Jones Review’ (into the role and purpose of higher education).

The event was a good launching pad for Make Education Count in Wales. Follow up activities are already being discussed, including action on securing a national contract for FE and on political commitment to a road-map to close the HE funding gap.