Press Release: NEATH AM WANTS SMARTER SAVING IN SCHOOLS

An extra £20 million every year could be freed up for education in Wales if schools saved money when buying everyday equipment such as stationary and computers.

Neath Labour AM Gwenda Thomas is backing Welsh Labour’s Finance Minister Andrew Davies in his drive to get schools to link up with the rest of the public sector when buying materials and facilities. Schools would then save money by buying in bulk.

Schools in Wales have already saved around £1.3 million through the School Revenue Project. Getting better value for money will mean schools in Neath have more money for teaching and better equipment.

Neath Labour AM Gwenda Thomas said:

‘’Welsh Labour wants to free up more money for teaching in Neath.

‘’Our schools should be making every effort to save money through smarter purchasing.

‘’Our schoolchildren will be the first to benefit if schools can get better value for money when buying everything from pens and pencils to computers.

‘’I would urge all schools in Neath Port Talbot to join this scheme.

‘’The project is part of the Labour led Assembly Government’s drive to reform public services in Wales and get better value for money.’’

Notes

It’s estimated that 1800 Welsh schools spend around £200 million every year on items such as stationery, exercise books, paper, photocopiers, whiteboards, computers, and other teaching materials.

A saving of just 10 per cent on this spend would translate into an annual windfall of £20million – or on average over £11,000 per school.The drive includes the recruitment of two senior teachers to spread the message to Welsh schools.

David Bullock – former Deputy Head Teacher of Llantwit Major School in the Vale of Glamorgan – is covering South Wales and Gwilym Hughes – Head Teacher at Ysgol Eifionydd, Gwynedd – is covering North Wales.