Statement by the Education Minister: Response

11 December 2020 

UCAC welcomes the Welsh Government's decision to move Welsh secondary schools and colleges to online learning from Monday, 14 December onwards as part of the 'national effort to reduce coronavirus transmission'. It is a wise decision which responds to the concerns raised by UCAC and responds to the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.

However, we are disappointed that a similar decision has not been made at a national level for the primary sector. The result is inconsistency and uncertainty across Wales with local authority arrangements.

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UCAC asks Welsh Government to consider distance learning for last week of term

25 November 2020

Education union, UCAC has written to the Minister for Education today asking her to consider the options available to reduce the risk of pupils and staff having to self-isolate over Christmas. One option would be to close schools and further education college sites on Friday 11 December with distance learning put in place for the last week of term.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young, General Secretary of UCAC said “UCAC members have responded to a questionnaire over the weekend with 75% of responses in favour of distance learning for the last week of term before Christmas, in order to safeguard learners and staff.

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Exam cancellation welcomed - but urgent need for clarity

10 November 2020 

UCAC education union has welcomed today’s announcement by the Education Minister to cancel external examinations for GCSEs, AS and A levels in the summer of 2021, and to replace them with alternative assessment arrangements.

Rebecca Williams, Deputy Secretary General and Policy Officer for UCAC said “This announcement will be a great relief for schools across Wales. Conducting external examinations in a way that is fair to pupils in the current circumstances is inconceivable and there is no guarantee that conditions will be more conducive in the summer.

“This decision means that alternative arrangements will be put in place and there will be no need to make last-minute changes, which is extremely welcome.

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