Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle has urged the Welsh Government to look at following an initiative in England and introducing a new natural history GCSE in Wales.
The Blaenau Gwent, Caerffili and Rhymni MS, who tabled an oral question to Anna Brychan, Cabinet Member for Education at the Senedd, asking what steps the Welsh Government was taking to provide opportunities for pupils to learn about nature, biodiversity and the environment in school.
Lindsay Whittle told a plenary session: “The system in England has recently passed a new natural history GCSE, which has a practical, hands-on focus, specifically requiring a minimum of 20 hours of mandatory outdoor field work to teach students active skills in data collection, biodiversity tracking and conservation management.
“In Wales we have a magnificent natural landscape from our peatlands and valleys to our unique coastal salt machines, which would provide the ultimate living classroom. Hands-on scientific skills are exactly what employers are looking forward to bridge the green skills gap.”
Lindsay Whittle argued that a dedicated qualification could be a fantastic tool to connect “our young people with nature, improve their well-being away from screens and give them a direct pathway into our growing Welsh green economy”.
Responding, the Minister said: “The Member makes a very persuasive argument for Wales being the best location, potentially for an open-classroom anywhere in the world. I agree that young people need to develop an appreciation and understanding of their local environment.
“The opportunities for learners to engage with the natural world, sustainability and the climate change issues are already embedded across the curriculum for Wales and find expression in our GCSE geography and sciences.
“While these qualifications are kept under constant review and that conversation is one that I’d happily have with him, I am also keen that this crucial knowledge, both for the future of the planet and the economy, are also present in the wider curriculum and not just housed in one part of it.”