A call has been made to the Welsh Government for better conditions for supply teachers.
West Wales members of the National Education Union visited the Senedd in Cardiff this month on Wednesday, October 16 to campaign for increased rights for those working as supply teachers employed through teaching agencies.
Commenting following the visit, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Welsh Parliament, Samuel Kurtz MS said that concerns raised needed addressing.
“It does not seem right that those opting to work as supply teachers are not afforded the same rights, pay and conditions as their full time, local authority employed counterparts,” remarked the Senedd Member.
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“The flexibility that supply teachers offer our schools is essential to pupils being able to maintain a good level of education, covering staff sickness and training absences.
“My concern is that with the education line in the Welsh Government’s supplementary budget for 2024/25 showing a cut, the Cabinet Secretary has no intention of addressing these concerns.
“If we fail to demonstrate the value we place on the whole teaching workforce, we run the very real risk of being unable to improve the educational outcomes of pupils in Wales,” he added.