Speaking ahead of the publication of a review of the national curriculum, Huw Lewis said the education profession would be “critical” in delivering the new Curriculum for Wales and invited professionals to work with the government on implementing the changes.
The minister said: “The national curriculum of 1988 has served an important purpose but the message from Graham Donaldson’s review will be that it has had its day.”
He continued: “We know our new made-in-Wales curriculum will take time to evolve and roll out, but both Professor Donaldson and I are clear that the teaching profession must play a central role in developing, and of course delivering what is to come. Of course we have already had the debate about school standards in Wales. Ambitious reforms are underway and change is happening.
“Now it is time for another ‘great debate’ in Welsh education – on the vital subject of curriculum change. On what, and how, our young people will learn over the decades to come.”
Welsh education is in the midst of major reform and it is not just the education of pupils which is under review.
Last year, Professor John Furlong was appointed to advise on developing initial teacher training in Wales and ensuring the best teachers enter the Welsh system.
Professor Furlong’s final report on this will be published in mid-March.
The Welsh government is also working on a New Deal for the Education Workforce to develop new professional standards for teachers which it hopes will result in higher standards of teaching and learning.
This will include a new Master’s qualification, clear career pathways, exemplar professional learning materials and a Professional Learning Passport that allows teachers to develop their careers and professional learning choices.
Overseeing the impact of these radical changes to education in Wales will be a new chief inspector at the education inspectorate, Estyn.
First minister Carwyn Jones has announced that Meilyr Rowlands will replace the current chief inspector, Ann Keane, at the end of May 2015.
He is currently the strategic director at Estyn.