Funding gap 'costing city schools £36m a year'
EDUCATION funding gaps between Wales and England could be worth more than £36 million a year to Swansea's schools.
The figures are based on the per pupil per year difference between the two countries of £604 in 2008/09 and plans in England to have a £2,500 pupil premium in place within four years.
If the two countries were brought into line, it could mean hundreds of extra teachers in Swansea.
Swansea Council's cabinet member for finance Stuart Rice said Welsh pupils' attainment had fallen behind their English counterparts and called for action.
He added: "If you think the average teacher is worth around £30,000 a year, that's hundreds of extra teachers for Swansea pupils and those across Wales also.
"They are also missing out on equipment, support and learning assistance thanks to the lack of funds. It makes me angry and it's very disappointing for the pupils.
"More teachers would also mean smaller classes and allow a more individual focus. It could also mean less cross-phase teaching where two classes are taught together at smaller schools."
In 2008/09 there were 34,981 pupils in Swansea's schools, which meant added up to a £21million funding gap compared with the same size city in England.
Additionally in England the Government plans to have a pupil premium for all those eligible for free school meals by 2015.
If the same pupil premium was introduced in Wales, Swansea Council would see an education funding boost of £15million a year based on the 5,987 youngsters claiming free school meals in 2009/09
Mr Rice added: "Welsh Liberal Democrats want to introduce the pupil premium, which would make a huge difference, especially because traditionally children from lesser-off families tend to do less well in the education system. This would help to give them a flying start."
3 Comments
by Bob, Treboeth
Tuesday, April 26 2011, 6:56PM
“Mr Rice says that Welsh Liberal Democrats want to introduce the pupil premium,which would make a huge difference to children of lesser-off families who tend to do less well in the education system.Well it was the Swansea Lib/Dems that took the children's money from the education system,and as for children of lesser-off families doing "less well in the education system", this is exactly what the anti-closure campaigners of Daniel James School told you and you still took the money and closed the school.”
by Angry Teacher, Swansea
Tuesday, April 26 2011, 4:32PM
“Hang on - haven't Swansea Council taken a massive chunk from the education budget to prop up their social services failings?
I know most schools in Swansea have had their budgets cut due to the lack of funds coming from the LEA even though the Assembly money has risen by a certain %'age.
AT”
by enzo, neath
Tuesday, April 26 2011, 9:59AM
“Where has Stuart Rice been? The funding gap has been growing year on year. However, better late than never! Call upon all parents to protest about making their children second class citizens in the 21st century. Leighton Andrews is quick to criticize schools about performance and standards - Why isn't he and the rest of WAG doing something about the Barnett formula - an outdated system of working out how much money Wales gets from Westminster? Therefore I ask everyone to contact their councillors, MP and AM and ask what they intend to do to ensure our children get what they deserve financially to create a level playing field for their future employment opportunities.”