Assembly Members to look at how Welsh history is taught in schools

The National Assembly’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee is going to look at how Welsh history and culture is taught in our schools.

The Committee had opened asked the public what subject they should discuss in the coming year. Around 2,500 people voted in an online poll was conducted over the summer and closed on the 12th of October.

Committee chair Bethan Sayed said that it “was a topic that many people were passionate about”.

“We will be looking at it as an inquiry in this term,” she said. “The first step will be to consult with the Welsh public on what they would like us to look into in relation to this topic.

“We will then be looking to see who we can get into the committee to give evidence and how we can engage with you in a wider way on this most important topic.”

Concerns have been raised in the past about the amount of Welsh history taught in schools.

One academic, Dr. Elin Jones, who wrote a major report for the Welsh government on the subject said that pupils were being “deprived” of Welsh history.

The other six topics the public could choose from were:

• Literature in Wales
• Community involvement in protecting the heritage of Wales
• Supporting traditional and unique Welsh art forms
• Improving diversity in provision and uptake of arts and culture in Wales
• Using the Arts to improve health and wellbeing
• Welsh in the digital world

It followed on from a previous survey last year, which resulted in an inquiry into ‘funding for and access to music education’.