With opposition mounting against Welsh Government proposals to change the school year, Clwyd West MS and Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar, has raised concerns in the Senedd this week over the impact it will have on those who observe the Christian faith.

The Welsh Government is proposing to reduce the length of the summer break and get rid of the Easter break.

Speaking In yesterday’s Business Statement in the Senedd, Darren, who also Chairs the Senedd’s Cross Party Group on Faith, highlighted concerns raised by faith community leaders over the proposals.

Calling for a Statement from the Minister for Education on the proposed changes to the school year, he said:

“We know that the proposed changes to the school year by the Welsh Government are opposed by parents, teachers, education unions, tourism operators, and even the Royal Welsh Show, but to add to this opposition, I've recently been contacted by faith community leaders with concerns over plans to ditch the Easter break.

“As you will be aware, Easter is the central festival in the Christian faith so to suggest that it has little or no significance to schools or young people, or society across Wales as a whole, is unacceptable.

“I appreciate that Good Friday and Easter Monday will still be protected in the school year, because these are already public holidays, but the wider Easter period is also a very significant period for many people in Wales who observe the Christian faith and should also be protected.

“We've heard a lot of discussion in recent weeks and months, quite rightly so, about problems with antisemitism and Islamophobia, but many people regard the school year proposals by the Welsh Government as anti-Christian.”

Responding, the Trefnydd, Lesley Griffith MS, said the consultation of the changes has now closed, and that the Minister for Education will make a statement when the responses have been assessed.