Policy Watch is our regular policy update service, covering national and international developments in the world of education. We try to keep things simple, sharing the latest news and information with you through weekly updates, monthly summaries, papers and events.
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The week ended with Michelle Donelan’s Written Ministerial Statement announcing that the repayment thresholds and interest rate thresholds will remain at current levels for the financial year 2022-23. Of interest was the suggestion that the government will “shortly” set out further plans addressing the student finance recommendations made in the Augar Review. This is a change in tone from “in due course” and so we might yet see the response to Augar.
As the Government announced an end to “Plan B” and mandatory mask wearing, Secretary of State, Nadhim Zahawi, has been accused of micromanagement by teaching unions for wanting to vet plans to bring back masks in classrooms. Local health leaders must consult him, should they wish to reintroduce masks in their area. Over 100 schools have said that they will continue the need for masks in lessons.
Robin Walker, the Schools Minister, was in front of the Education Committee this week covering a wide range of subjects. He made clear that the plan remains that exams will take place in the summer, but confirmed work was underway on contingencies (should the need arise). He also covered the education catch up programme, describing it as a “huge success” and that it is “making a difference".
