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.
'The reality is a watered-down version of the Foundation Phase.'
A WLGA and Association of Directors of Education in Wales jointstatement said, 'Even with the announcement of an additional 5m,there is still a shortfall of 10m across Wales.
'The Minister's criticism of local authorities for failing to providethe necessary information is a smokescreen. The Assembly Government wasalready in possession of the information requested, and full costingswere identified in the Expenditure-Sub Group in 2007. The reality isthat there is just not enough funding to support the full implementationof the Foundation Phase in Wales.'