MORE must be done to help Gipsy, Roma and traveller children, as well as those from other low-achieving groups, do better in school, Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle has said.

The Labour AM led a debate into a report by the Welsh Assembly’s Children, Young People and Education Committee, which found young people from these groups had low levels of education achievement, in the Senedd on Wednesday, March 3.

Although the Welsh Government does offer grants to local authorities to support youngsters from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, Ms Neagle said it was not clear how much support was offered to Gipsy, Roma and traveller communities.

“We believe the Welsh Government should issue more detailed guidance on how the grant can be used to benefit Gipsy, Roma, traveller and minority ethnic learners beyond that which exists at present,” she said.

She added: “We believe the Welsh Government must fundamentally strengthen its focus and target funding more specifically on Gipsy, Roma and traveller learners and ethnic groups that have lower-than-average attainment.”

But she said: “This is not an issue that can be addressed by a one-size-fits-all approach to educational improvement.

“Support and interventions must be tailored to the learner if we are to support every child and young person in achieving their full potential.”

Replying to the debate, education secretary Kirsty Williams replied the issue was one of the most challenging in her portfolio.

“This is a complex area where one single, consensual approach to how the challenges should be taken forward and managed does not prevail,” she said.

She added: “Gipsy, Roma, traveller and minority ethnic learners do not form one homogenous group.

“The individual needs and attainment levels of these learners vary significantly from some of our most able and talented children to those who are achieving well under the national average.”

Speaking at the end of the debate, Ms Neagle said this was an issue which should be constantly monitored.

“This isn’t just a one-off that we’re going to put aside and leave,” she said.

“We are intending to follow this up very rigorously going forward.”