Senedd Cymru voted on a proposal to make an outdoor education residential mandatory for every child and young person at least once in their school career
A big focus on OL in Wales
Making an outdoor education residential mandatory for every child and young person in Wales at least once in their school career
On 26th October Senedd Cymru (the Welsh parliament) voted on a proposal for a member’s bill to make an outdoor education residential mandatory for every child and young person at least once in their school career, funded by the Welsh Government. It was fantastic to see our nation’s elected representatives debating the benefits of outdoor education with even the voices against the proposal still acknowledging the benefits. This was not one question answered with a written statement, but a full hour debate with many members of the Senedd speaking (it’s available to watch online, see link below).
It was clear from the education minister’s answering statement and the Labour members who spoke, that the Welsh Government would oppose the proposal, but in an almost unprecedented occurrence, the rest of the Senedd united to support the proposal and it passed by one vote. This now allows the member who put forward the motion, Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales, to work with Senedd researchers and staff to develop the proposal into a full bill, to be read and then voted on by the Senedd in around 12 month’s time.
There is clearly a lot of work ahead, but with the media coverage of the vote and the support from so many diverse organisations involved in outdoor learning across Wales, outdoor learning is firmly in the public eye, with an amazing opportunity in front of us. Finally, a note of thanks must go to the individuals and organisations involved in supporting Sam and his team in developing both the proposal and the data to support the debate. In particular the support of the Outdoor Alliance Wales, OEAP Cymru and AHOEC must be acknowledged, and highlighted as a demonstration of the possibilities when we work together as a united sector with one voice.
Web link to the debate: https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Archive/7a8c348e-2e03-4098-9c55-7221a6962359?autostart=True
and
https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Archive/7a8c348e-2e03-4098-9c55-7221a6962359?startPosUTC=10%2F26%2F2022%2014%3A11%3A55&autostart=True
There is menu on the right of the screen to skip to the OEd Bill debate.
BBC Radio 4 Any Questions?
And, in case you missed it, here is the link to the BBC Radio 4 Any Questions? recent podcast, held at FSC Rhyd-y- creuau.
Al Cook raised the question about the Panel’s views on the English governments following both the Welsh and Scottish governments in relation to their support for Residential Education….its the last question!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dbdfjh