Literacy plan in Wales 'not fit for purpose'

AN expert has left the Welsh Government's £8.2m literacy panel saying it's "not fit for purpose".

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK Education editor [e-mail]

Elizabeth Nonweiler has written to Education Secretary Lynne Neagle saying the panel has achieved next to nothing in a year of work.

Failings are now built into Wales' new literacy programme because of disagreements on how best to teach children to read, Ms Nonweiler, who is also chair of the respected Reading Reform Foundation, claimed.

Her resignation and criticisms follow warnings about literacy standards from the Chief Inspector for Schools.

Teenagers are this term sitting international Pisa tests at which Wales has lagged in literacy and numeracy for years, despite promises of improvements.

Publishing her resignation from the panel in a letter to the minister online, Ms Nonweiler told Lynne Neagle she is sharing her criticisms publicly "because it affects every child learning to read, every teacher and every parent who depends on a strong start".

The expert called on the minister to scrap the current literacy panel and scheme.

She said that after a year of meetings it is "clear that the panel cannot deliver what Wales needs".

The no-holds-barred letter continues: "Literacy is the foundation of every child's future. Without it, doors close - educationally, socially, economically. On 5 November, 2024, you said: "Improving literacy is central to our mission to raise standards and ensure every child in Wales has the best start in life." I agree. But I must tell you plainly: that mission will fail unless your current plans change."

The dispute centres on the synthetic phonics method to teach children to read, which Ms Nonweiler says she supports, as does the minister. But not all the expert panel agree.

Synthetic phonics is a method of teaching children to decode words by blending sounds.