Children and young people set to ask Education Minister questions during daily briefing

Children and young people will today for the first time ask the opening questions in the Welsh Government’s daily press conference to the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams.

Young people from Wales have submitted questions in response to an invitation from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Professor Sally Holland.

Every weekday at 12:30pm, the Welsh Government hosts its daily press conference for the media, focusing on issues around the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the UK Government held its final daily briefing, after they announced they would now be held on an ad hoc basis. There had been more than 90 UK briefings since the middle of March, when Boris Johnson's government was criticised for not being transparent enough over its coronavirus policy.

The Education Minister will hold Wednesday's Welsh Government conference, prior to next Monday, when schools across Wales will begin to welcome back pupils to ‘check in, catch up and prepare’ for the summer and September.

Journalists’ questions will follow the children’s questions.

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“We’re at a crucial time for children and young people in Wales", Kirsty Williams said, “ordinarily, throughout the school year I have the opportunity to travel to schools across Wales and meet pupils and staff face-to-face, to hear directly about the issues affecting them and their education.

“It’s disappointing that I’ve been unable to do that recently, so I’m really pleased to field questions from some budding young journalists today!”

Professor Holland said: “Earlier this month I published the results from my Coronavirus and Me survey, where nearly 24,000 children and young people shared their views on living through the pandemic.

"The findings from that report showed to me that now, more than ever, children need to be listened to and those who work for them held to account.

"I hope children and young people can see that their views and opinions are critical in shaping how Wales takes its next tentative steps out of lockdown.”