NUT Comment on CDAPs Review
Wednesday, 21 December 2011 3:35 PM
Wales’ largest teaching union has welcomed the announcement of a review into the Welsh Government’s controversial Child Development Assessment Plans (CDAPs). The NUT have been at the forefront of the campaign to overhaul the scheme after raising concerns about the impact it has had on classroom teaching.
NUT Executive Member Beth Davies, who has previously campaigned for changes to the Child Development Assessment Plans, welcomed the Welsh Government’s review:
“I am delighted the Minister has accepted the dissatisfaction that has been voiced by the teaching profession in relation to CDAPs. The scheme has been a disaster for schools, resulting in numerous cases of teachers unable to actually teach children because they have been drowned in a sea of paperwork.
“It was totally unacceptable to ask teachers to assess parenting skills in this way, while neglecting the need to establish a relationship with children entering schools. I very much hope that the Minister will accept that major changes are needed to the scheme, if not scrapping it all together. We simply could not have continued with the current system.
“The concerns that are now being examined were evident during the consultation period but unfortunately were not heeded by the Welsh Government. Regrettably, the rush to implement the plans have resulted in the need to review the system.”
NUT Wales Policy Officer, Owen Hathway, added:
“The NUT has highlighted our concerns as teachers have been left frustrated at the way these assessments have restricted their ability to teach children. The scheme has angered many teachers and it is great news that the Minister has listened to our campaign and initiated this review.”
Notes to editor;
Please follow the link to see previous NUT articles on this issue:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-15751870
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/11/17/classroom-red-tape-threatening-development-of-schoolchildren-claim-nut-officials-91466-29791432/
For any further information on this or any other NUT campaigns please do not hesitate to contact Owen Hathway, Tel: 029 20491818. Mob: 07921146442 e-mail: o.hathway@nut.org.uk
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