Commentary on Sections Further education and training Section 93: Education and training for persons aged 16 to 19
293.Section 93 sets out the Commission’s duty to secure facilities for education and training for those above the compulsory school age. The duties in this section and sections 95 and 96 are similar to the duties in sections 31 and 32 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”).
294.The section requires the Commission to secure the provision of ‘proper’ facilities for Wales for the education and training of people who are above compulsory school age but have not yet reached the age of 19. Facilities are ‘proper’ if they are of sufficient quantity and adequate quality to meet the reasonable needs of young people. Additionally such facilities must satisfy students’ entitlements to follow courses of study within the local curriculum formed under section 33A of the 2000 Act. “Facilities for Wales” includes facilities in Wales, and other facilities available to persons ordinarily resident in Wales (see section 144(1)).
295.Amendments are made to sections 33A – 33E, 33G, 33I - 33-K, 33N – 33Q of the 2000 Act (see Schedule 4). These confer functions on the Commission which include, amongst other things, responsibilities for forming the local curriculum, the planning and delivery of local curriculum entitlements for learners (including Welsh language provision), and the arrangements for joint working. Other minor and consequential amendments include placing a duty on the Welsh Ministers to consult the Commission when exercising their power to amend the local curricula learning domains and the making of regulations and issuing of guidance.
296.The facilities to be secured for education and training include both full-time and part-time further education and training as well as vocational, social, physical and recreational training (see the definitions in section 144(2) to (5)).
297.The Commission’s duties under this section do not extend to higher education (see paragraphs 277 to 280 for an explanation of the Commission’s powers to fund higher education).