Cwestiynau Ysgrifenedig y Cynulliad a gyflwynwyd ar 25 Mawrth 2014 i’w hateb ar 1 Ebrill 2014
R - Yn dynodi bod yr Aelod wedi datgan buddiant.
W - Yn dynodi bod y cwestiwn wedi’i gyflwyno yn Gymraeg.
(Dangosir rhif gwreiddiol y Cwestiwn mewn cromfachau)
Mae’n rhaid cyflwyno Cwestiynau Ysgrifenedig bum diwrnod gwaith o leiaf cyn y maent i gael eu hateb. Yn ymarferol, mae’r Gweinidogion yn ceisio ateb rhwng saith ac wyth diwrnod, ond nid yw’n orfodol iddynt wneud hynny. Cyhoeddir yr atebion yn yr iaith y’u cyflwynir ynddi, gyda chyfieithiad i’r Saesneg o ymatebion a roddir yn y Gymraeg.
Gofyn i’r Gweinidog Diwylliant a Chwaraeon
Simon Thomas (Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru): Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi eu cael er mwyn helpu S4C i symud i Gaerfyrddin? (WAQ66651)W
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Weinidog Diwylliant a Chwaraeon (John Griffiths): Ar 14 Mawrth cyhoeddodd Awdurdod S4C y byddai pencadlys y sianel yn cael ei adleoli i Gaerfyrddin o 2018 ymlaen. Cyn y penderfyniad hwnnw, cyfarfu swyddogion o adrannau ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru gyda swyddogion S4C er mwyn deall manteision ieithyddol, diwylliannol ac economaidd unrhyw benderfyniad gan S4C i adleoli. Mae’r trafodaethau yn parhau.
Simon Thomas (Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad ynghylch pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gynyddu nifer y rhai sy'n cymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon yn Sir Gaerfyrddin yn enwedig yn sgil sgîl pryder gan Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru am doriadau i'r gwasanaethau hamdden? (WAQ66652)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 4 Ebrill 2014
John Griffiths: Ysgrifennais i bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru yn gynharach eleni i ofyn iddynt ystyried yn ofalus eu penderfyniadau ynghylch y ddarpariaeth hamdden yn eu hardaloedd. Pwysleisiais hefyd fod angen iddynt ymgynghori â defnyddwyr gwasanaethau ac adnoddau hamdden cyn iddynt wneud penderfyniadau ynghylch cynyddu tâl am ddefnyddio cyfleusterau chwaraeon.
Byddwch yn dymuno gwybod bod Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin wedi penderfynu ailystyried ei gynlluniau i gynyddu ffioedd ar gyfer defnyddio meysydd chwaraeon a'u bod yn bwriadu cynnal trafodaethau pellach â chlybiau chwaraeon lleol ar y mater hwn.
Bydd Chwaraeon Cymru yn parhau i weithio'n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol yn y Gorllewin ac, eleni, bydd yn buddsoddi mwy na £650,000 yn ardal Sir Gaerfyrddin i ddatblygu chwaraeon.
Gofyn i’r Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Sut y bydd cynnwys y Prawf Mathemateg Trefniadol Gweithdrefnol ar gyfer blynyddoedd 2 - 6 yn wahanol i brawf y flwyddyn ddiwethaf? (WAQ66638)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Weinidog Addysg a Sgiliau (Huw Lewis): The Procedural Numeracy Test for years 2-6 will contain completely new content for years 2-6 in 2014.
The tests are replenished year on year to ensure that no pupil will take the same test twice, nor will they be tested on material which they have already practiced. This approach helps to ensure that the tests and results are reliable. The tests are subject to rigorous development and trialing to ensure the highest quality of tests are produced.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Faint o fentoriaid allanol sydd bellach yn eu lle i ddarparu cymorth ychwanegol i athrawon newydd gymhwyso yn ystod eu cyfnod sefydlu ac yn ystod eu Gradd Meistr mewn Ymarfer Addysgol? (WAQ66639)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: There are a total of 196 mentors supporting newly-qualified teachers during their statutory induction period and Masters in Educational Practice (MEP) and those teachers who have progressed to the second year of the MEP. A total of 2,500 teachers are currently being supported by mentors.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Beth yw'r gymhareb bresennol o fentoriaid i athrawon newydd gymhwyso? (WAQ66640)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: The ratio of mentor to newly qualified teachers ranges from 1:2 up to 1:24 and the variation is due to mentors’ individual personal circumstances which determines the number of newly-qualified teacher that they support. The overall average ratio of mentor to newly qualified teachers is 1:13.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Pa adborth y mae'r Gweinidog wedi ei gael gan y rhai sy'n ymgymryd â rolau mentoriaid gydag athrawon newydd gymhwyso? (WAQ66641)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: My officials have regular engagement with mentors where they receive feedback on delivery of the role. Officials have also established, in partnership with the Alliance delivering the Masters in Educational Practice (MEP), a Mentor Management Group that meets regularly to review and plan deployment. Mentors’ feedback to date on their experience has been extremely positive and this is reflected in the low number of resignations from the role at only 6%. This autumn officials will also be holding focus groups with mentors across Wales as part of a review of the MEP programme.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Pa wybodaeth sydd wedi ei chael am rôl mentoriaid yn ystod tymor yr hydref? (WAQ66642)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: During the autumn term mentors are matched to their group of newly qualified teachers and commence the Statutory Induction element of their role after the October half-term holiday. During the autumn term all mentors also attend mandatory training in Statutory Induction and Masters in Educational Practice to prepare them to discharge their mentoring role effectively.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Pa waith y mae'r Gweinidog wedi ei wneud i asesu a yw'r holl fentoriaid athrawon yn bodloni eu rhwymedigaethau o ran diwrnodau a weithir gyda'r rhai sy'n cael eu mentora ganddynt bob blwyddyn academaidd? (WAQ66643)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: All mentors have been appointed to the role following an assessment of their skills, experience and expertise and therefore they are trusted to use their professional judgment in carrying out the mentor role. Information on their obligations is detailed in the role description, at interview and in the agreement that the teacher and headteacher/ Chair of Governors are required to sign in order to agree release of the teacher. Schools and teachers being mentored are able to raise any concerns they have and a Professional Programme Coordinator is deployed by the Welsh Government in each consortium to resolve any issues. Officials will carryout random quality assurance visits in the summer term 2014 to ensure that mentors are fully meeting their obligations.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi ei wneud o unrhyw effaith ar ysgolion sy'n rhyddhau staff i ymgymryd â rôl fentora gydag athrawon newydd gymhwyso? (WAQ66644)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: Informal evidence has been gathered by officials from a range of sources including: attendance at training events delivered by officials and the HEI Alliance delivering the Masters in Educational Practice; meetings with a broad range of stakeholders involved in the deployment of external mentors; and contract meetings with the HEI Alliance. These sources provide regular information and to date have satisfied officials that using experienced practitioners drawn from schools to act as external mentors provides value for money in terms of the support provided for the teachers and schools. Teachers released in this way are able to apply the experience they have gained to their own teaching and that of others in their ‘home school’ as the mentoring role is a part time one which allows them to maintain their substantive teaching role. Officials will continue to closely monitor this position whilst an external evaluation is currently being planned.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Sut y mae'r Gweinidog yn asesu cydymffurfiaeth cyrff llywodraeth ysgolion â rhoi gwybod am gyflwr toiledau ysgol yn eu hadroddiadau blynyddol? (WAQ66645)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: In accordance with the School Governors’ Annual Reports (Wales) Regulations 2011 the school governors annual report must contain a brief statement on the provision of toilet facilities at the school for pupils registered at the school and the arrangements in place for cleaning such toilet facilities. Welsh Ministers do not routinely assess school governing bodies’ compliance in respect of the content of their annual reports. However, copies of the annual report must be given to all parents and staff employed at the school and made available for inspection at the school at all reasonable times. As such, compliance with this statutory responsibility will be open to scrutiny and challenge.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Pa drefniadau sydd wedi eu gwneud i asesu'r angen am gynnydd yn nifer yr athrawon i gyflwyno'r pynciau TGAU newydd, ychwanegol yng Nghymru? (WAQ66646)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: New GCSEs in English language and Welsh language will be taught in Wales from 2015 and will provide a greater focus on literacy. There will be two new Mathematics GCSEs: one will focus on numeracy and the maths needed for everyday life, and the other will extend to other aspects of mathematics including those needed for progression to scientific, technical or further mathematical study. The total content will remain similar to the current GCSE Mathematics and we would not expect the teaching hours to be significantly different.
The Welsh Government is working with trade unions and professional bodies representing the education workforce in Wales to consider the impact of the new GCSEs and other key changes to the qualifications system on the workforce. The Welsh Government has also held events across Wales with school leaders to discuss these changes and the impact that they will have on schools and the teaching workforce.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Pa gynnydd sydd wedi ei wneud i weithredu pob un o argymhellion yr Adolygiad o Gymwysterau ar gyfer pobl ifanc 14 - 19 oed? (WAQ66647)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: The recommendations of the Review of Qualifications for 14- to 19-year-olds in Wales are being implemented through two programmes, working closely together. The Qualifications Wales Transition Programme is implementing recommendations 5 and 34. A Qualifications (Wales) Bill is being prepared to establish Qualifications Wales and a programme of work is underway to ensure that the new organisation is able to perform its functions – including the development of appropriate ICT based solutions. The Review of Qualifications Implementation Programme is co-ordinating the implementation of the other 40 recommendations, dealing primarily with the development of new and revised qualifications, quality assurance of qualifications, changes to performance measures, and wider system issues related to communication and information. Progress is on track for implementation of all of the recommendations in line with the agreed programme and timescales. As recommended by the Review, from September 2015 there will be a new Welsh Baccalaureate at Foundation, National and Advanced levels, new GCSEs in English Language and Welsh Language, two new mathematics GCSEs (Mathematics-Numeracy and Mathematics), revised GCSEs in English Literature and Welsh Literature, revised A levels in a number of subjects and a new suite of Essential Skills qualifications. Categorisation of vocational qualifications into IVETs and CVETs, as recommended by the Review, is complete and the policy of allowing only IVETs to be delivered at Key Stage 4 is being introduced in September 2014. Gatekeeping arrangements for vocational qualifications are being developed on a sectoral basis. Additional conditions for awarding organisation recognition have been adopted, and improvement plans have been completed for the current Essential Skills Wales qualifications. I have made separate announcements in relation to changes to performance measures and am currently seeking stakeholder views on proposals for changes to the measures at Key Stage 4. WAQ66648 provides an update on the communications campaign.
Aled Roberts (Gogledd Cymru): Mewn perthynas â'r Adolygiad o Gymwysterau ar gyfer pobl ifanc 14 - 19 oed, pa gamau sydd wedi eu cymryd i weithredu Argymhelliad 4 a lansio “strategaeth gyfathrebu sylweddol, hirdymor ar draws y DU i hyrwyddo ac esbonio’r cymwysterau sydd ar gael yng Nghymru”? (WAQ66648)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Huw Lewis: I published the communication strategy for the qualification reform agenda in September 2013 following consultation with key stakeholders. The strategy aims to build confidence in our reform programme and our qualifications.
We are clear that our qualifications must align with the needs of employers and higher education. We are also clear that our qualifications must be portable allowing our learners to progress across the UK and worldwide.
Over the past 6 months we have met senior management at every university in Wales and those in England that take significant numbers of learners from Wales, and have continued our established dialogue with UCAS. The aim has been to build an understanding of the reform programme and to listen to concerns. I am pleased to report that we have received positive feedback on our reforms and the purposeful engagements with the Higher Education sector. These visits have been led by Huw Evans, the Chair of the review of qualifications and of the Qualifications Wales Advisory Board.
We have visited a number of Welsh anchor companies to explain the reform programme and to ensure that our qualifications meet the needs of business.
To build confidence and a shared understanding of the reform programme, we held a national conference in Cardiff in December, attended by over 500 delegates. The event explained how the recommendations will be implemented between now and 2015. Amongst the high profile speakers from higher education and business was Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, who welcomed the fact that the recommendations from the Review of Qualifications are rooted in evidence and have been developed through dialogue and that Welsh qualifications will carry international credibility. The conference also heard from leaders from industry who endorsed the approach of the Welsh Government.
At the conference, we launched a new website www.qualificationswales.org which provides a single place for stakeholders to find information about changes to qualifications in Wales. It provides news and updates and includes number of videos of higher education, employers, practitioners, learners and parents talking about what they want from the new qualifications system.
We were clear at the conference that effective delivery of the new qualifications is key. From January to March 2014, we set up 25 regional roadshows for leaders and senior managers in schools and colleges to discuss the implications of the reform programme directly with Welsh Government officials. Over 300 senior managers have attended these events which provided an opportunity to consider the delivery implications of these reforms within their local context.
Stakeholders play a central role in our reform programme, building on the strengths of the independent review. In June 2013, we established an external stakeholder reference group (with over 30 members) to advise on policy and delivery implications across all 42 recommendations and to ensure that implementation is effective and communication is clear. We have also established the Qualification Wales Advisory Board to provide support and independent challenge to the creation of the new organisation. Other groups with key representatives from the education and training sector include the Welsh Bac steering group and subject-specific expert groups looking at individual qualifications.
In the autumn, we will launch a campaign to promote the changes to GCSEs, A levels and the Welsh Bac directly to learners and parents. The campaign will develop strong messages that will work across a range of channels/media to reach our target audience.
We are clear that communication is and will remain a key priority for the Welsh Government and for the new organisation, Qualifications Wales, once it is established.
Andrew RT Davies (Canol De Cymru): A wnaiff y Gweinidog gadarnhau uchafswm yr hyn y bydd ReAct III yn ei gyllido tuag at gostau hyfforddi i gaffael sgiliau newydd? (WAQ66653)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014
Dirprwy Weinidog Sgiliau a Technoleg (Ken Skates): The maximum vocational training grant that will be available to redundant workers under the ReAct III Programme is £1500.00. An additional £200.00 will be available to remove barriers to training, such as travel costs. Employers who are awarded a ReAct wage subsidy may also be eligible for up to 50% of the cost of job-related training.
Gofyn i’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
Darren Millar (Gorllewin Clwyd): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am nifer a chanran y cleifion â Sglerosis Ymledol (MS) yng Nghymru sy'n cael mynediad i Gilenya a sut y mae hyn yn cymharu â mannau eraill yn y DU? (WAQ66649)
Darren Millar (Gorllewin Clwyd): A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am nifer a chanran y cleifion â Sglerosis Ymledol (MS) yng Nghymru sy'n cael mynediad i Therapïau Addasu Clefydau a sut y mae hyn yn cymharu â mannau eraill yn y DU? (WAQ66650)
Derbyniwyd ateb ar 2 Ebrill 2014 (WAQ66649 - 50)
Weinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol (Mark Drakeford): As advised in Written Assembly Questions 66485 and 66486 the number of MS patients who have been prescribed a disease modifying treatment is not collated centrally. In my previous replies, I indicated the number of prescription issues for fingolimod (Gilenya) in 2012 was 18. In 2013, management data indicates there were 167 issues of fingolimod (Gilenya) in Wales. However, this figure may be higher as not all data in every Health Board may have been captured.
Please note that the source of this data is management information. It has not been published and has not been through the checks and validations usual for official statistics products.
I am not aware of comparable data published by other UK countries.