MORE HELP URGENTLY NEEDED FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN ENGLISH
More funding is desperately needed for pupils in Powys who speak neither English nor Welsh.
In the past 2 years the number of pupils requiring EAL (English as an Additional Language) support in Powys has risen by over 150% from 82 in January 2005 to over 200 in January 2007. In addition these pupils are spread through 46 schools in the county so it is difficult to concentrate the help which they need.
I am calling on the Labour Assembly Government to not only increase the funding for EAL to Powys but to do so now, not a year later as is the usual custom, as the money needs to be spent straightaway to help these children integrate into our excellent school in Powys. It seems unfair that Powys has to raid other budgets for 12 months to meet what is a current pressing need and has to wait for a year to be reimbursed by the Assembly.
About Me
- David Thomas
- I was born and brought up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. I was educated in the primary and secondary schools in Haverfordwest, at the Universities of Oxford (Keble College) and Wales (Cardiff and Aberystwyth) and the South Wales Theological College. I live just outside Llanwddyn, near Lake Vyrnwy, Montgomeryshire. I work in the Maelor School, Penley, where I am Head of Modern Languages and Professional Development Coordinator. I am Chair of the Governors of Ysgol Efyrnwy, Llanwddyn,the Lake Vyrnwy Marathon Committee and the Plaid Cymru Branch for North Montgomeryshire. I am Vice-Chair of the Powys Eisteddfod 2007 Learners’ Committee. I am a member of the Powys Citizens’ Panel, the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, the Guilsfield Singers and Friends of Mid Wales Opera. I am also a member of the World Development Movement and the Institute for Welsh Affairs. My priorities are what everybody in Montgomeryshire deserves:good schools in the villages as well as the towns; good health care in Montgomeryshire as well as Shropshire; good transport links into and around Montgomeryshire and good planning which provides jobs in both the countryside and the towns.
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