e-sgol, a new initiative supported by Welsh Government to develop opportunities in e-learning, has been launched in Ceredigion.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams launched the venture in Ysgol Bro Pedr, Lampeter, on 11 October 2018 as part of the Welsh Government’s new Rural Education Action Plan. One of the main aims of the project is to offer more learning opportunities for pupils in rural, smaller, schools especially in the post-16 sector.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams said, “Today’s e-sgol lesson has been great fun and has demonstrated how technology can provide solutions to some of the issues rural schools face.
“This project will connect pupils and teachers across Ceredigion and Powys, ensure that pupils are offered a wider range of topic choices through the medium of Welsh, and are given the best learning experience, even in the most rural parts of Wales.”
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Ceredigion County Council Leader and Councillor Catrin Miles, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Learning Services welcomed Kirsty Williams AM to the launch. The event went on to show what e-sgol can offer in addition to hearing about the potential of the venture. Ysgol Bro Pedr and Ysgol Bro Teifi took part in the lesson and trialled the new technology.
Councillor Catrin Miles, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Learning Services said, “This is a pilot project based on the Scottish model where there are many similarities between the Outer Hebrides and rural Wales. This will provide an increased choice of subjects for post-16 pupils in rural Wales.”
Funded by the Welsh Government, the scheme will start with five Further Mathematics pupils in year 12. The intention is to trial the system with Childcare, Drama and French, with Year 10 Music developed in due course. Ysgol Bro Pedr, Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron and Ysgol Bro Teifi will be the three schools participating in the scheme at this initial stage.
11/10/2018