SUPPORT FOR POST-16 EDUCATION NEEDS REVIEWING - WILLIAMS

Commenting on the Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) that are available to children entering post-16 education, Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, has called for a review into the way in which the allowances are administered.

Mr Williams said:

“In very rare cases, children are advanced by an academic year. In these cases a child is not entitled to an EMA when they enter post-16 education as they are not 16 years old.
“This seems to be particularly unjust to those students who are highly gifted.

“A number of people will be affected by this as they progress through the education system more quickly and now that they are in post-16 education they will not receive the support that they would if they had not progressed as quickly.

“This is an injustice to a very small number of people and needs to be addressed. It is important that as few people as possible are affected and that pupils are not deterred from advancing faster through the system than their classmates.

“I shall be writing to Jim Knight MP, Minister for Schools and Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills, arguing that those people who enter post-16 education early should be able to get two years EMA if they sign an agreement to only claim for two years.”

Ends/diwedd

Publish date: 3rd July 2008
Modified: 3rd July 2008

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