I would be grateful for the opportunity, through your paper, to thank all those who have worked with me so tirelessly to improve education in Wales and realise the vision set out in the Learning Country.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as minister for education, lifelong learning and skills and I am delighted that Wales is seen across the world as a country which values education highly and is prepared to be radical in the interests of our children.
I will watch with interest the roll-out of the foundation phase and the Welsh baccalaureate and look forward to working with many of you again on the development of forest and eco-schools, and a curriculum which reflects the challenges of climate change and Wales’s special commitment to sustainability.
Over the past seven years, I have always been impressed by the huge commitment of those who work in education. I know I leave the portfolio in good hands with Carwyn Jones and wish him and your readers all the best as we move towards the next stage of devolution - the use of the new Assembly powers.
And I am very pleased that the first proposal for a new Legislative Competence Order is in the area of additional learning needs.
Jane Davidson
Minister for sustainability and rural development
