NEU Cymru, Wales’s largest education union, has concerns over the unacceptable condition of many school buildings across Wales and the inadequacies in the 21st Century Schools funding program to address these critical issues.
NEU Cymru is calling on the Welsh government conduct a comprehensive review of all school buildings to identify and prioritise critical safety and repair needs and allocate additional, ring-fenced funding for essential repairs and upgrades to existing school infrastructure.
Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union Cymru, said:
“The Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools program has fallen short of delivering sustainable, fit-for-purpose learning environments. Current funding mechanisms and project planning have failed to ensure that new builds meet practical needs and that aging infrastructure is updated or replaced in a timely manner.
“Education is the foundation of our future, yet our school buildings are failing those they are meant to serve. We need urgent and sustained funding to ensure all Welsh schools provide safe, healthy, and functional environments for learning.”
The text of the motion to conference on this issue was as follows:
Motion 25. Urgent Need to Address the Poor State of School Buildings and Issues with Wales’ 21st Century Schools Funding
Conference Cymru expresses deep concern over the unacceptable condition of many school buildings across Wales and the inadequacies in the 21st Century (C21st) Schools funding program to address these critical issues.
Numerous schools are struggling with facilities that pose significant health and safety risks to students, staff, and the wider community. We note with alarm:
- Instances of electrical fires, highlighting the urgent need for modernized and safe electrical systems.
- Thirty-year-old boilers that require manual operation, leaving schools vulnerable to heating failures, especially during colder months.
- Damp, leaks, and mould, which not only damage infrastructure but also jeopardise the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils.
- Design flaws in new-build schools, such as canteens with insufficient capacity for pupil populations, resulting in overcrowding and reduced access to meals.
The Welsh Government’s C21st Schools program has fallen short of delivering sustainable, fit-for-purpose learning environments. Current funding mechanisms and project planning have failed to ensure that new builds meet practical needs and that aging infrastructure is updated or replaced in a timely manner.
Education is the foundation of our future, yet our school buildings are failing those they are meant to serve. Conference Cymru demands urgent and sustained action to ensure all Welsh schools provide safe, healthy, and functional environments for learning.
Conference Cymru calls on NEU Cymru via the executive to:
- Lobby for Welsh government to conduct a comprehensive review of all school buildings to identify and prioritise critical safety and repair needs, and reform the C21st Schools programme to ensure:
- New-build projects are adequately planned to meet the functional requirements of schools, with health and safety inspections carried out on an annual basis.
- Long-term maintenance and repair are integral to funding allocations.
- Greater accountability and oversight in project delivery to prevent design flaws.
- Allocate additional, ring-fenced funding for essential repairs and upgrades to existing school infrastructure.