Plaid Cymru to set out education plan to “raise standards and support teachers”
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A Plaid Cymru government will deliver a bold, practical, and
inclusive strategy to renew educational standards in Wales its
education spokesperson will announce. Plaid Cymru's education
spokesperson, Cefin Campbell, is expected to announce the party's
new national mission on literacy and numeracy at the annual
conference in Swansea today (Saturday 11 October). The plan will
include: A Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan to set national
benchmarks, provide targeted...Request free trial
A Plaid Cymru government will deliver a bold, practical, and inclusive strategy to renew educational standards in Wales its education spokesperson will announce. Plaid Cymru's education spokesperson, Cefin Campbell, is expected to announce the party's new national mission on literacy and numeracy at the annual conference in Swansea today (Saturday 11 October). The plan will include:
A Plaid Cymru government will also invest in the future of Welsh education by offering fair, competitive incentives to attract and retain teachers – and progressively close the gap with England to ensure that trainee teachers in Wales are not financially disadvantaged for choosing to study and work here. Plaid Cymru spokesperson on education Cefin Campbell MS will say, “Labour's failure to get even the basics right, in literacy and numeracy, our pupils are not fulfilling their potential. “But Plaid Cymru has a plan. We will ensure our pupils catch up and reach their potential, and we will raise educational standards all over Wales. “In response to deep, persistent and wide-ranging challenges in literacy and numeracy standards across Wales a Plaid Cymru Government will propose a series of overlapping and innovative solutions to get the basics right and raise standards in our schools. “A Plaid Cymru Government will develop a new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan, a national strategy that is coherent, measurable, and equitable. “This is about ensuring every pupil, regardless of background, can reach their full potential. We will introduce national benchmarks for foundational skills in reading, writing, and numeracy. Plaid Cymru's education spokesperson will also say, “But as I've said many times in recent years: how can our pupils succeed without a strong, well-supported workforce of brilliant teachers? “Under Labour's watch, Wales is facing a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. “That's why I'm proud to announce that a Plaid Cymru government will invest in the future of Welsh education by offering fair, competitive incentives to attract and retain the teachers our schools need. By the end of the next Senedd term, our incentive offer will match what's currently on offer in England, ensuring that trainee teachers in Wales are not financially penalised for choosing to study and work here. “We'll launch a national campaign, Dewch i Ddysgu, to restore pride in the profession and inspire new entrants. “We cannot allow the next 25 years to mirror the failures of the last. We must raise standards and unlock every pupil's potential. We must give every child the best possible start in life. We must provide new leadership for Wales. That is our national mission. And Plaid Cymru will deliver it. Senior Education Lecturer Dr Huw Griffiths from the Institute of Education at University of Wales Trinity Saint David said, “I'm glad to see political party that's ready to make a clear statement in tackling one of the biggest challenges of education in Wales. “With the Republic of Ireland now among the best countries in the world in terms of literacy, there is no reason why Wales cannot emulate that. “In my opinion, there is nothing that can compare to improving reading standards as a means of raising standards - this is the alpha and the omega. A spokesperson for the Literacy Trust said, "When children are encouraged to read for pleasure and have access to a wide variety of books, it can transform their lives, building confidence, enhancing wellbeing, improving their reading skills and academic performance. A love of reading is one of the most powerful predictors of future success, and school libraries are key to nurturing that love from an early age. “Libraries for Primaries is working to ensure every primary school in the UK has a dedicated library space by 2029 breaking down barriers to access, promoting equality of opportunity, and helping to create vibrant, whole school reading cultures. A well-resourced school library is more than just a room of books; it's a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and lifelong learning that will benefit generations to come." ENDS Plaid Cymru i gyflwyno cynllun addysg i “godi safonau a chefnogi athrawon” Addewid Plaid ‘Cenhadaeth genedlaethol newydd ar Lythrennedd a Rhifedd' Bydd llywodraeth Plaid Cymru yn cyflwyno strategaeth feiddgar, ymarferol a chynhwysol i adnewyddu safonau addysgol yng Nghymru, fel y bydd ei llefarydd addysg yn ei gyhoeddi. Disgwylir i lefarydd addysg Plaid Cymru, Cefin Campbell, gyhoeddi cenhadaeth genedlaethol newydd y blaid ar lythrennedd a rhifedd yn y gynhadledd flynyddol yn Abertawe heddiw (dydd Sadwrn 11 Hydref). Bydd y cynllun yn cynnwys:
Bydd llywodraeth Plaid Cymru hefyd yn buddsoddi yn nyfodol addysg Cymru drwy gynnig cymhellion teg a chystadleuol i ddenu a chadw athrawon – a chau'r bwlch â Lloegr yn raddol i sicrhau nad yw athrawon dan hyfforddiant yng Nghymru dan anfantais ariannol am ddewis astudio a gweithio yma. Bydd llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar addysg, Cefin Campbell AS, yn dweud, “Mae methiant Llafur i gael hyd yn oed y pethau sylfaenol yn iawn, mewn llythrennedd a rhifedd, yn golygu nad yw ein disgyblion yn cyflawni eu potensial. “Ond mae gan Blaid Cymru gynllun. Byddwn yn sicrhau bod ein disgyblion yn dal i fyny ac yn cyrraedd eu potensial, a byddwn yn codi safonau addysgol ledled Cymru. “Mewn ymateb i heriau dwfn, parhaus ac eang mewn safonau llythrennedd a rhifedd ledled Cymru, bydd Llywodraeth Plaid Cymru yn cynnig cyfres o atebion sy'n gorgyffwrdd gan arloesi i gael y pethau sylfaenol yn iawn a chodi safonau yn ein hysgolion. “Bydd Llywodraeth Plaid Cymru yn datblygu Cynllun Llythrennedd a Rhifedd Sylfaenol newydd, strategaeth genedlaethol sy'n gydlynol, yn fesuradwy, ac yn deg. “Mae hyn yn ymwneud â sicrhau y gall pob disgybl, waeth beth fo'i gefndir, gyrraedd ei botensial llawn. Byddwn yn cyflwyno meincnodau cenedlaethol ar gyfer sgiliau sylfaenol mewn darllen, ysgrifennu a rhifedd. Bydd llefarydd addysg Plaid Cymru hefyd yn dweud, “Ond fel rydw i wedi'i ddweud sawl gwaith yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf: sut gall ein disgyblion lwyddo heb weithlu cryf, â chefnogaeth dda o athrawon gwych? “O dan oruchwyliaeth Llafur, mae Cymru'n wynebu argyfwng o ran recriwtio a chadw athrawon. “Dyna pam rydw i'n falch o gyhoeddi y bydd llywodraeth Plaid Cymru yn buddsoddi yn nyfodol addysg Cymru trwy gynnig cymhellion teg a chystadleuol i ddenu a chadw'r athrawon y mae eu hangen ar ein hysgolion. “Erbyn diwedd tymor nesaf y Senedd, bydd ein cynnig cymhelliant yn cyfateb i'r hyn sydd ar gael ar hyn o bryd yn Lloegr, gan sicrhau nad yw athrawon dan hyfforddiant yng Nghymru yn cael eu cosbi'n ariannol am ddewis astudio a gweithio yma. “Byddwn yn lansio ymgyrch genedlaethol, Dewch i Ddysgu, i adfer balchder yn y proffesiwn ac ysbrydoli ymgeiswyr newydd. “Ni allwn ganiatáu i'r 25 mlynedd nesaf adlewyrchu methiannau'r llynedd. Rhaid inni godi safonau a datgloi potensial pob disgybl. Rhaid inni roi'r dechrau gorau posibl mewn bywyd i bob plentyn. Rhaid inni ddarparu arweinyddiaeth newydd i Gymru. Dyna ein cenhadaeth genedlaethol. A bydd Plaid Cymru yn ei chyflawni. Dywedodd yr Uwch Ddarlithydd Addysg Dr Huw Griffiths o Sefydliad Addysg Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant, “Braf iawn yw gweld plaid wleidyddol yn barod i wneud datganiad clir i fynd i'r afael ag un o heriau mwyaf addysg yng Nghymru. “Gyda Gweriniaeth Iwerddon bellach ymhlith y gwledydd gorau yn y byd o ran llythrennedd, nid oes unrhyw reswm pam na all Cymru efelychu hynny. “Yn fy marn i, does dim yn addysg sy'n gallu cymharu â gwella safonau darllen fel modd o godi safonau – dyma'r alfa a'r omega.” Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran yr Ymddiriedolaeth Lythrennedd, "Pan gaiff plant eu hannog i ddarllen er mwyn pleser a chael mynediad at amrywiaeth eang o lyfrau, gall drawsnewid eu bywydau, gan feithrin hyder, gwella lles, gwella eu sgiliau darllen a'u perfformiad academaidd. Mae cariad at ddarllen yn un o'r rhagfynegwyr mwyaf pwerus o lwyddiant yn y dyfodol, ac mae llyfrgelloedd ysgolion yn allweddol i feithrin y cariad hwnnw o oedran cynnar. “Mae Llyfrgelloedd ar gyfer Ysgolion Cynradd yn gweithio i sicrhau bod gan bob ysgol gynradd yn y DU ofod llyfrgell pwrpasol erbyn 2029 gan chwalu rhwystrau i fynediad, hyrwyddo cyfle cyfartal, a helpu i greu diwylliannau darllen bywiog ar gyfer yr ysgol gyfan. Mae llyfrgell ysgol sydd â digon o adnoddau yn fwy na dim ond ystafell o lyfrau; mae'n borth i ddychymyg, gwybodaeth, a dysgu gydol oes a fydd o fudd i genedlaethau i ddod." DIWEDD NODIADAU I'R GOLYGYDD / EDITOR'S NOTES: Plaid Cymru's 2025 Annual Conference will be held at Brangwyn Hall, Abertawe (Swansea) Friday and Saturday, 10 and 11 October 2025. Date: Friday 10 October to Saturday 11 October 2025. Location: Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE Full details and FAQs: https://www.partyof.wales/conference The full speech is below, embargoed until full delivery. Please check against delivery, Cefin Campbell MS and Dr Huw Griffiths are available for interviews.
The full speech is below, embargoed until full delivery. Please check against delivery, Bore da i chi gyd. Mae'n bleser cael bod gyda chi yma yn Abertawe yn y gynhadledd arbennig hon. Gyfeillion, mae addysg wedi siapio fy mywyd - yn broffesiynol ac yn bersonol. Rwy'n gyn-athro Cymraeg i Oedolion a darlithydd prifysgol. Rwy'n fab i athrawes. Yn fab-yng-nghyfraith i athrawes. Yn frawd i athro. A nawr, yn dad balch i athrawes, gan bod fy merch ar ei hail flwyddyn mewn ysgol uwchradd cyfrwng Cymraeg yn Sir Gâr. Ie, y cysylltiad dwfn, personol hwnnw gydag addysg - ar draws cenedlaethau ac ar draws cymunedau. A dyna'r hyn fydd yn parhau i'm gyrru, pe bai Plaid Cymru yn ffurfio'r Llywodraeth nesaf: i roi'r dechrau gorau posibl mewn bywyd i bob plentyn yng Nghymru........ Y flwyddyn nesaf, mae Cymru ar drothwy hanes. Am y tro cyntaf erioed, bydd cyfle i ni ethol llywodraeth Plaid Cymru, dan arweiniad Rhun ap Iorwerth. Ond, er yr optimistiaeth hwnnw, gyda'n breuddwyd o symud o'r ymylon i ganol llwyfan gwleidyddiaeth Cymru, allwn ni ddim fforddio bod yn hunanfodlon. Rhwng nawr a mis Mai nesa, fe fyddwn ni'n treulio bob dydd yn rhannu gweledigaeth bositif, uchelgeisiol Plaid Cymru ar gyfer arweinyddiaeth newydd i Gymru. Gweledigaeth sy'n sefyll mewn cyferbyniad llwyr â'r dirywiad cyson dŷn ni wedi'i dioddef o dan y blaid Lafur ers 26 o flynyddoedd...... ac ar yr ochr arall, addewidion gwag, ffuantus, a hyd yn oed peryglus, gan Reform. Mae Llafur wedi rhoi lan – wedi rhoi'r gorau iddi. Dŷn nhw ddim bellach yn blaenoriaethu Cymru - maen nhw'n ymbalfalu'n ofer i geisio blaenoriaethu eu hunain. A d'yw Reform ddim yn poeni un taten am y genedl fach hon. Beth yw'r ots gyda nhw am Gymru – un o'u prif bolisïau economaidd yw ailagor ein pyllau glo – ie, dyna yw swmp a sylwedd eu huchelgais dros Gymru – mynd â ni nôl i'r gorffennol, pan oedd glowyr fel fy nhad-cu yn marw yn 48 oed o niwmconiosis, yn talu'r pris eitha am wneud cyfoeth i eraill. Dim diolch! Na, fe fydd gyda ni flaenoriaethau fydd yn mynd i'r afael â gwir anghenion Cymru – yn eu plith bydd sicrhau gwell dyfodol i'n plant a'n pobl ifanc. Byddwn yn sicrhau bydd pob plentyn yn cyrraedd eu potensial llawn - ym mhob ystafell ddosbarth, ym mhob cymuned, ym mhob rhan o Gymru. ----- But conference, in terms of achievement however, the uncomfortable truth is this: Because of the Welsh Government's failure to get even the basics right, in literacy and numeracy, our pupils are not fulfilling their potential. Listen to this: “We are at a turning point for education in Wales… Many of our communities are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Our skills-base is relatively low….These challenges are of historic significance. Failure to match up to them cannot be an option. Above all, success depends upon a rapid acceleration in lifting our knowledge and skills-base…” Those aren't my words. They were written nearly 25 years ago by Jane Davidson, Labour's first Education Minister in Wales. So let me ask: How can words written a quarter of a century ago still be true today? The answer is simple, and damning:- Because for over 25 years, Labour has failed to act. Because for over 25 years, Labour has failed to deliver. Because for over 25 years, Labour has failed our children. And despite the valiant efforts of our wonderful teachers and support staff, it's been a legacy of failure! ............... Ac mae'r pris dŷn ni'n ei dalu am dros chwarter canrif o fethiant Llafur yn boenus o glir: O dan oruchwyliaeth y llywodraeth Lafur, mae sgoriau PISA Cymru mewn darllen, mathemateg a gwyddoniaeth wedi gostwng hyd yn oed ymhellach. Mae nhw nawr yn is na chyfartaledd yr OECD, yn is na phob gwlad arall yn y Deyrnas Gyfunol, a'r isaf y mae Cymru wedi bod erioed ers ymuno â'r cynllun PISA nôl yn 2006. O dan oruchwyliaeth Llafur, mae un o bob tri plentyn yng Nghymru yn byw mewn tlodi. Ond allwn ni ddim beio tlodi yn unig am ganlyniadau addysgol gwael. Os edrychwn ni'n fanylach ar ganlyniadau PISA mae nhw'n dangos bod disgyblion difreintiedig yn Lloegr yn perfformio'n well na'u cyfoedion yng Nghymru o tua 30 pwynt, ac yn well na'r sgôr cyfartalog ar gyfer pob disgybl yng Nghymru. Ac ar draws y Deyrnas Gyfunol, mae'r ardaloedd sy'n perfformio waethaf o ran disgyblion difreintiedig, yn bennaf yn dod o Gymru. Er bod gwariant fesul disgybl yn debyg i Loegr, mae ein canlyniadau wedi gostwng yn sylweddol - sy'n dangos diffygion difrifol yn y ffordd mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn dyrannu ac yn defnyddio cyllid addysg. Mae gormod o'n hysgolion yn dal i gael eu gadael ar ôl. O dan oruchwyliaeth Llafur, mae un allan o bob pedair ysgol gynradd heb fynediad at ofod llyfrgell! Mae adroddiadau ESTYN yn dangos bod 32% o ysgolion cynradd angen gwella llythrennedd a rhifedd a bod llawer yn methu â chynllunio'n effeithiol ar gyfer hybu sgiliau darllen uwch. Mewn addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg, roedd cyfleoedd i ddatblygu darllen lefel uwch yn aml yn brin, ac roedd cydlynu ar draws ysgolion uwchradd yn wan - yn enwedig yn ystod y cyfnod pontio hanfodol rhwng Blwyddyn 6 a Blwyddyn 7. O dan oruchwyliaeth Llafur, yr un gwendidau a welwyd mewn darllen Saesneg. Ac mae darllen am bleser wedi cael ei roi i'r neilltu, a dim ond lleiafrif o ysgolion uwchradd sy'n cynnig cyfleoedd rheolaidd, ystyrlon i feithrin sgiliau darllen. Mae mathemateg wedi dioddef hefyd. Mae ESTYN yn nodi bod ansawdd yr addysgu yn y pwnc yn amrywiol iawn a safonau disgyblion yn annerbyniol o isel. O dan oruchwyliaeth Llafur, mae'n disgyblion yn brin o sgiliau sylfaenol, ac mae safonau'n gostwng. A does gyda nhw ddim unrhyw gynllun ystyrlon i wella pethau.......... Dyna'r newyddion drwg – ond nawr am y newyddion da! ------ And now for the good news! Plaid Cymru has a plan! We will ensure that our pupils catch up and reach their potential, and we will raise educational standards in every part of Wales. From this conference hall to classrooms right across Wales – let it be known that Plaid Cymru's mission in government, indeed our national mission, will be to renew educational standards right across the country. In response to deep, persistent and wide-ranging challenges in literacy and numeracy standards across Wales a Plaid Cymru Government will propose a series of overlapping and innovative solutions to get the basics right and raise standards in our schools. A Plaid Cymru Government will develop a new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan, a national strategy that is coherent, measurable, and equitable. This is about ensuring every pupil, regardless of background, can reach their full potential. We will introduce national benchmarks for foundational skills in reading, writing, and numeracy. And we will invest in professional development for teachers, focused on evidence-based instruction that works. But foundational skills don't develop in isolation. They need nurturing environments. That's why a Plaid Cymru Government will also ensure every primary school in Wales has access to a dedicated library space by the end of our first term in Government. Far from a red-herring as some have sought to portray it, this policy is a direct response to concerns that have been raised by any number of educational experts. The National Literacy Trust, ESTYN, and even the NAHT have all said that underinvestment in libraries has a direct impact on children's reading habits and literacy levels. And as pupils move into secondary school, we must not lose momentum. A Plaid Cymru Government will also ensure pupils are reading across the curriculum……supporting the critical transition from Year 6 to Year 7, by embedding reading into every subject area, not just English and Welsh. We will support teachers with subject-specific reading strategies. And we will provide targeted support for pupils falling behind, with early intervention programmes that catch issues before they become barriers, and we will work with families to encourage a love of reading at home and across generations. A Plaid Cymru Government will also support teachers in implementing the new curriculum for Wales and to improve consistency not only across Wales but between the transition from primary to secondary school. And in so doing, we would look to produce additional guidance and resources to provide greater specificity and knowledge of concepts, as part of pupil learning. ------ But as I've said many times in recent years: how can our pupils succeed without a strong, well-supported workforce of brilliant teachers? Under Labour's watch, Wales is facing a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. The Welsh Government has missed its secondary teacher recruitment targets for the best part of a decade. Now ESTYN has made it clear: we cannot raise standards without resolving these recruitment challenges. It is simply unacceptable that a prospective teacher from Wales must cross the border to train in England. Not because of course quality, but because England offers bursaries of up to almost £30,000 for priority subjects, while Wales offers nowhere near that level of support. That's why I'm proud to announce that a Plaid Cymru government will invest in the future of Welsh education by offering fair, competitive incentives to attract and retain the teachers our schools need – with an emphasis on priority subjects, and Welsh language teaching. By the end of the next Senedd term, our incentive offer will match what's currently on offer in England, ensuring that trainee teachers in Wales are not financially penalised for choosing to study and work here. We'll launch a national campaign, Dewch i Ddysgu to restore pride in the profession and inspire new entrants. We will also ensure that public investment in teacher training delivers long-term benefits for Welsh schools. Following the model of the Nursing Bursary, incentive recipients will be required to remain teaching in Wales for a defined period – a basic and reasonable requirement that the current Welsh Government has failed to implement! A Plaid Cymru Government will also work with teachers, getting to grips with pupil behaviour, absenteeism and workload pressures – issues which are forcing far too many to leave the profession. This includes looking at the suggested actions within the Behaviour Summit Report – and agree measures that will provide support for teachers on the school campus to allow them to do what they've been trained to do, which is to teach children. We need to learn from schools that are successfully tackling behaviour issues and share that best practice across Wales. And we will materially improve working conditions for our teachers, and make every effort to reduce workload, not just for school leaders, but for classroom teachers as well. And we will build on the work of the schools liaison officers to improve school attendance. Where AI can present opportunities to reduce administrative burden, it should be used to ease pressure and empower teachers, not to cut costs or undermine learning. More teachers. Less workload. Better retention. That's the foundation for a stronger education system. ------- Heddiw, dw i wedi canolbwyntio ar osod y sylfeini - ar gyfer codi safonau ysgolion, ar gyfer datrys ein hargyfwng recriwtio, a sicrhau bod ein hathrawon gorau yn aros yn y proffesiwn. Ond gadewch i mi fod yn glir, nid yw ein huchelgais yn dod i ben wrth gât yr ysgol. Dw i eisoes wedi trafod dyfodol addysg uwch y bore yma gyda Phrifysgolion Cymru, a dw i'n edrych ymlaen at ein trafodaeth banel gyda Cholegau Cymru nes ymlaen. Ac wrth gwrs, yn ogystal â hyn oll, mae ymrwymiad Plaid Cymru i dyfu addysg Gymraeg a rhoi cyfleoedd i fwy a mwy o blant a phobl ifanc i ddod yn siaradwyr Cymraeg rhugl a hyderus yn ganolog i'n cenhadaeth. Ein nod ni yw sicrhau y bydd 50% o'n plant yn cael addysg drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg erbyn 2050 a 10% mwy pob degawd yn dilyn hynny. Friends, secured by these foundations and principles, we will build an education system that stretches from primary classrooms to comprehensive corridors, through our colleges and into our universities - a system where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. A system that prepares young people to enter the workforce, to start businesses, to drive innovation, and help build the new Wales that Plaid Cymru envisions. Conference, we cannot allow the next quarter of a century to mirror the failures of the last. We must raise standards, and unlock every pupil's potential. We must give every child the best possible start in life. We must provide new leadership for Wales. Dyna yw ein cenhadaeth genedlaethol. That is our national mission. And Plaid Cymru will deliver it. Ymlaen i etholiad mis Mai! |