'Knowing I can get EMA made it clear I should stay on to study for A-levels'

TEENAGERS have described the cost of remaining in school, with some insisting they could not afford to stay in education after the age of 16 without extra help from the Welsh Government.

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK

They were speaking after thousands more 16 to 18-year-olds were made eligible for a £40 weekly payment from the Welsh Government.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) aims to help teenagers who return to study after Year 11 with transport, food, stationery, textbooks and other costs.

The payment has been described as "essential" and "vital" with the cost-of-living crisis hiking up prices.

One inner-city school said more than half of pupils in its sixth form receive the EMA. With the criteria for who can get it now widened, that is expected to rise.

Matthew Rea, head of sixth form at Fitzalan High in Cardiff, where 40% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, said: "We have 350 pupils in sixth form and 186 access EMA. It is vitally important. Some pupils would not return to sixth form without it."

EMA gives eligible learners in Wales aged 16-18 £40 a week to help with education-related costs and learning materials.

"We all know the increase in the cost of living and you get to see that on a daily basis in school from referrals in access to our food bank. EMA is vitally important," said Mr Rea.

Rahma Liban, 16, who will finish Year 11 after GCSEs this summer, was undecided about whether to leave education altogether. She said the £40 weekly EMA payment persuaded her to return for A-levels.