Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language
My vision is that all young people will understand how Welsh history, language, diversity and culture has shaped Wales to become the proud and unique nation it is today, and will inspire young people to protect their unique heritage and the Welsh language. The Co-operation Agreement, which came into effect in December supports this vision and emphasises the importance of Welsh history and confirms our commitment to improve the teaching of Welsh history by ensuring we develop support for our teachers to teach it in all its complexity and diversity.
Delivering the recommendations made by the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum Working Group is integral to the teaching of diverse experiences and contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic peoples and communities across the Curriculum for Wales and will help address inequalities within our education system.
Today, I am publishing the first annual report, which sets out the actions we have taken to date to take forward the recommendations within the Curriculum for Wales framework and wider.
I am pleased that strong progress has been made over the last year. Wales is the first part of the UK to make learning about Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic experiences mandatory within the new curriculum, as an integral part of the [mandatory] learning of Welsh history. I am also pleased with the progress on the wider professional learning offer, including Initial Teachers Education and The Betty Campbell MBE Professional Teaching Award.
By maintaining close links between the actions being taken across education and government, we will ensure continuity and sustainability of this work and focus on its positive impact on wider society. Earlier this month, I was pleased to give an update on the actions we are undertaking in our education system as part of the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan and on national Diversity and Anti-Racism Professional Learning.
The progress we have made to date could not have been made without the strong support we have received from our stakeholders.
I am hugely grateful for the ongoing engagement and support we have received from Professor Charlotte Williams OBE, who chaired the group and who continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the Welsh Government to take forward the recommendations and for the significant engagement that she continues to conduct with external stakeholders and partners.