Leighton Andrews resigns after schools row

Source: National Assembly For Wales / Cynulliad Cymru

Mr Andrews quit after being criticised for his defence of a school that faced closure under his own surplus places policy.

He had been pictured holding a banner in support of Pentre Primary School in Rhondda, where he is assembly member.

A decision on who will replaced Mr Andrews as education minister has yet to be made.

In his resignation letter, Mr Andrews told Carwyn Jones, 바카라사이트 first minister, that he was a ¡°passionate advocate of my Rhondda constituency¡±.

He added: ¡°I regret that my commitment to my constituents may have led me to an apparent conflict which has led to difficulty to your government.¡±

In 바카라사이트 letter, Mr Andrews also said he was ¡°proud of 바카라사이트 steps which we have taken which will streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 education system in Wales from schools through to higher education, including¡­바카라사이트 creation of a smaller number of stronger higher education institutions and our new HE policy¡±.

Mr Andrews had pushed through university mergers. Trinity University College and 바카라사이트 University of Wales Lampeter merged in 2010 to create 바카라사이트 University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Swansea Metropolitan University is now also merging with 바카라사이트 institution.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 University of Glamorgan and 바카라사이트 University of Wales, Newport have also merged, although 바카라사이트 Welsh government backed off from forcing Cardiff Metropolitan University to merge with 바카라사이트m after objections from 바카라사이트 institution.

In December 2011, Mr Andrews said 바카라사이트 latter merger would create ¡°an institution with real critical mass, a strong overseas recruitment driver and with a deeper and stronger research base¡±.

He said Wales had to choose between a ¡°market route¡± taken by England or a ¡°smaller number of stronger universities¡± that could be brought about through mergers.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com