WIREDGOV

A package of funding worth £2.3 million to boost science in schools in 2014-15 has been announced by First Minister, Carwyn Jones yesterday 

Speaking during a visit to Techniquest, where he held his monthly news conference, the First Minister said that the funding aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning of science in our classrooms ahead of next year’s PISA assessments.

New funding of £600,000 per annum in 2014-15 and 2015-16 has been made available to help deliver science in school. This includes teacher development and the production of learning materials designed to improve science literacy skills and overall knowledge.

The package also includes new funding for a science advisory function based in the four education Consortia, with a secondary school focus for the next two years.

Techniquest will receive grant funding of £1.375 million and Techniquest Glyndwr will receive £380,000 to support education programmes to enhance the provision of science and mathematics in schools.

A marketing campaign will also be run from the autumn to reinforce the importance of science with learner, teachers, school leaders and parents.

The First Minister said:

"A good grasp of the sciences is really important for a well rounded education. We need to inspire young people to take an interest in science and the many doors it opens for them for the future.

"Wales is already punching above its weight in developing and attracting high skilled jobs and globally recognised companies. If we are to build on our success in this area and continue to forge Wales into an internationally recognised place to do business – then a good science education is a must.

"The significant package of funding I’ve announced today will go a long way to boosting science in our schools in preparation for PISA testing in 2015, but more importantly it’ll help improve performance in the sciences across the board."

The Education Minister, Huw Lewis said:

"By committing £2.3million to science education we are demonstrating the importance of this subject. Strong literacy skills are as significant in science as they are in maths and English.

"Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Andreas Schleicher at a major education conference in Cardiff, in which the message was clear - PISA matters. As science is the major domain in the PISA tests in 2015 we must get this right if we’re to succeed and improve in the next round of international testing."

Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, Prof Julie Williams said:

"This new funding package is an excellent boost for science in Wales and will be warmly welcomed by all of us in the Welsh scientific community.

"Science is one of Wales’ success stories and the Welsh Government is already supporting this with an investment of £50m in the Sêr Cymru initiative to build new capacity around our existing scientific strengths.

"Ultimately, I’d like Wales to be recognised as a small, smart country with great science. A place where young people and adults alike have opportunities to learn about and be enthused with the excitement of science. The work that we’re doing today is taking us ever closer to realising that vision."