MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Education: I welcome the publication of Estyn's
thematic review into the use of generative artificial
intelligence (GenAI) in schools and pupil referral units (PRUs)
across Wales. With it being AI week, this represents a timely and
important contribution to our understanding of the transformative
potential of emerging technologies in shaping the future of
education in Wales.
I would like to thank Estyn for delivering a comprehensive review
at pace, in response to the Welsh Government's commission and in
recognition of the fast-evolving nature of GenAI in education. I
also wish to extend my sincere thanks to the schools, learners
and practitioners who engaged with Estyn during the review. Their
contributions have provided valuable insight into current
practice and helped shape the findings and recommendations.
The Welsh Government welcomes Estyn's recommendations. GenAI
presents significant opportunities to enhance teaching, learning
and school improvement. At the same time, these opportunities are
not without challenge. As this technology continues to evolve
rapidly, we must maintain a considered, evidence-informed and
inclusive approach to ensure its integration into education is
both purposeful and sustainable.
The review highlights the need for a clear and coordinated
national approach to the use of GenAI in education. This aligns
with our strategic vision set out in ‘Digital education in Wales:
Empowering learning through technology', which emphasises the
importance of embedding digital innovation across the curriculum,
pedagogy and assessment.
Our approach to supporting schools in their use of GenAI must be
clear, structured and grounded in a shared commitment to
responsible practice - one that places the safety and wellbeing
of both learners and the education workforce at its core. In
response to Estyn's recommendations, we will work in
collaboration with local authorities and key stakeholders across
the education sector to co-design a strategic framework that
supports the safe, ethical and effective use of GenAI. This will
build on the foundations already laid through the Hwb programme
and will be informed by the latest research and best
practice.
Through the Hwb platform, we have already enabled access to
cutting-edge GenAI tools, including Microsoft Copilot Chat and
Adobe Express AI, ensuring that all maintained schools in Wales
can benefit from emerging technologies. I am pleased to confirm
that Google Gemini will also be launched on Hwb soon, further
expanding the suite of innovative digital tools accessible to our
schools.
Schools have a pivotal role in modelling appropriate technology
use within education and in supporting children and young people
to engage with AI responsibly in their everyday lives. In doing
so, they help realise the ambition of the Curriculum for Wales to
develop capable, creative and ethically informed citizens who are
ready to thrive in a digital world. Learners should be equipped
to recognise risks, apply safe and secure practices and
prioritise their digital wellbeing. We remain committed to
ensuring that our guidance and support reflect this
responsibility.
Estyn's findings emphasise the importance of equipping the school
workforce with the skills and support needed to use GenAI
confidently and effectively. In response, we will undertake a
comprehensive exploration of how GenAI can best support the
school workforce in Wales. This will include approaches to reduce
workload and enhance wellbeing, alongside a dedicated focus on
pedagogy and professional learning. Our work will consider both
the integration of GenAI into professional learning practices and
the development of a suite of professional learning opportunities
to help practitioners build their skills and confidence. As we
work closely with Dysgu, to develop its offer of professional
learning for the school workforce, we will explore how this can
include the effective use of GenAI.
The review also underlines the importance of ensuring learners
are equipped with the digital skills needed in an increasingly
technology-driven world. Digital Competence is a mandatory
cross-curricular skill within the Curriculum for Wales. We are
currently reviewing the guidance that supports schools in
developing digital competence to ensure it reflects technological
advances including GenAI. This work has already involved
engagement with school leaders, EdTech partners and curriculum
stakeholders and will continue to shape the future direction of
the framework.
A strong and coordinated partnership across the education sector
is essential to setting a clear and coherent national direction
for how GenAI is used in schools. We will work closely with
Estyn, local authorities, school improvement services and other
key partners - including Welsh Government's new Office for AI in
their cross-sector leadership role - to ensure that schools
across Wales are supported consistently and effectively in
adopting GenAI in ways that enhance teaching, learning and school
improvement.
GenAI offers exciting opportunities, and we remain committed to
working with the sector to ensure its use is safe, inclusive and
purposeful. Our focus will be on supporting schools to adopt
technology in ways that enhance teaching and learning and
ensuring that digital innovation continues to serve the needs of
learners, practitioners and communities across Wales. The
publication of this review marks an important milestone in our
journey to understanding and harnessing the potential of AI in
education.
