Responding to the publication of the Welsh Government's draft budget, with the outcomes of a recent member survey, Nicola Fitzpatrick, Interim Wales Secretary for the National Education Union (NEU) Cymru, said:
"NEU Cymru members will be pleased to see that there is more in-year funding to support the education system. But what's critical is that schools and colleges get this money so it can be used in our classrooms across Wales.
"NEU Cymru members are teaching and supporting pupils at school or college because they care about learners and their outcomes. We know that Wales has huge issues with child poverty, and that schools are struggling with funding levels, so extra support with Family Engagement Officers and school holiday enrichment programmes will be welcome. But what is needed now is a long-term sustainable funding settlement, to ensure that schools and colleges have all the funding they need to ensure children and young people can flourish.
"Nine out of ten (89%) of our members who responded to our recent survey said there are not enough teachers and support staff in school/college to provide the education the students deserve.
"The additional money for children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) is welcome - but we need to ensure it gets to every classroom in Wales. Eight out of ten (80%) respondents said students with ALN are not getting the support they need to enable them to engage fully in their learning. This simply is not good enough.
"We know that our members are purchasing resources, like pens and paper, with their own money, and 80% of respondents said there are not enough resources available in school/college to provide the education the students deserve.
"We will be sharing our members' concerns with the Welsh Government in the coming days and hope the final budget can truly show how much everyone in Wales values education."