'Education was impacted by the pandemic but the tide is beginning to turn'

Vikki Howells MS, Minister for Further and Higher Education in Wales sets out the steps taken to secure a prosperous future for tertiary education in Wales

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WALES' tertiary education and research sector is something we should all be proud of.

This is why I want to ensure it not only remains sustainable but continues to build on the achievements of the past five years.

These achievements include our progressive higher education funding policy, which has ensured financial barriers do not hold back talent and ambition and the continued financial package for part-time study, which has opened higher education to thousands more students. Welsh universities did well in REF 2021, highlighting the world-leading impact of their pioneering research and innovation.

The pandemic had a tremendous impact on every aspect of education, but the tide has started to turn. Further education has seen a revival in participation, helped by increased funding for further education and the Education Maintenance Grant plus the continuation of the Welsh Government Learning Grant. Last year there was an 8.5% increase in school leavers progressing to college and it is promising that early data suggests a similar increase this year. The encouraging exam results this summer further reflect the outstanding efforts of our schools and colleges to support a generation whose education was disrupted by the pandemic.

But I am mindful of the challenges facing the tertiary education sector and I want to set out five of the most pressing challenges and how we will work with the sector to meet them.