Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders has pressed the new Minister for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis AM, on what actions he will take to improve the provision of Reading, Science and Mathematics in schools in Wales.

Speaking in the Senedd, Janet said: “The teaching of fundamentally important subjects, such as science and mathematics, and core skills like reading have been allowed to slide under successive Labour governments in Wales.”

“The Pisa assessment compares 67 countries on these subjects. Wales came 30th in Science, 38th in reading proficiency and 40th in mathematics in the last rankings in 2010.

“These skills will put our young people into good stead upon finishing school to get on in life and achieve, and I don’t want Welsh children to fall behind those in the rest of the United Kingdom.”