Education minister Jane Hutt confirmed the increased funding for thenational implementation of the Foundation Phase in September (News, 8May). She said there was a disappointing response from some localauthorities asked to undertake an audit for roll-out.
Implementation of the curriculum for three- to seven-year-olds had beenallocated 25m.
But the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said the extra moneywas 'too little, too late'. The National Association of Head Teachers(NAHT) Cymru described it as 'wholly inadequate'.
Iwan Guy, acting director of NAHT Cymru, said that an extra 10mwas needed to ensure the staff:child ratio of 1:8 was rolled out fromnursery through to reception.
Mr Guy said, 'They've removed the statutory ratio of 1:8, but thecurriculum remains statutory. Now head teachers are legally obliged tocover the Foundation Phase curriculum but they may not have theresources to do so. The ratios will not be available to all pupils whenall are entitled to it.
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