Education questions

Black Caribbean and black African pupils in Cardiff schools are significantly under achieving, according to AMs.

Education Minister Leighton Andrews was answering members' questions, on 30 May 2012.

Labour AM for Cardiff South and Penarth Vaughan Gething raised his concerns that certain ethnic minority groups were failing to perform in schools across his constituency.

He commended the high educational achievements of Chinese British pupils, however highlighted his worries with the "persistent" under achievements of black Caribbean and black African pupils.

The education minister admitted that this was "a challenge for all of us" and said that discussions had taken place with his officials regarding the matter.

Mr Andrews stressed that he would be happy to discuss the issue with ethnic minority groups around Cardiff.

Conservative Education Spokesperson Suzy Davies voiced her concerns that the number of Welsh speakers in Bridgend had recently fallen from 18% to 15%.

Ms Davies said that there was no longer a Twf Welsh language officer for Bridgend and that this would inevitable affect the promotion of language in the area.

Mr Andrews insisted that promoting Welsh was a part of the government's Welsh language strategy and that his officials were working hard to addressing the problem and making schemes work.

The minister also answered questions on teachers' workload, literacy and numeracy levels and the Welsh-medium education Strategy.