2023: What’s next for the Education Sector?
Details: Written by Kelly Worsnop
|
Published:
As we near the end of 2022, many are now looking ahead to the future of 2023 as an opportunity to set new goals and resolutions for the year ahead. At The Skills Network, we’ve been reflecting on education past and present, looking at learning through the ages and what’s in the forecast for the sector in the future.
In recent months, the education sector has seen a lot of change. Since the 15th September last year the government have appointed six new education secretaries, with Sir Gavin Williamson, Nadhim Zahawi, Michelle Donelan, James Cleverley, Kit Malthouse and the current secretary Gillian Keegan all turning a hand to the critical role.
In the recent Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt set out the government’s commitment to “ensuring every child, young person and adult can access world class education”. The statement announcements highlighted the critical role of education for growth and the governments ambitions to ensure the delivery of an education system that provides the skills the economy needs in 2023.
Key information from The Autumn Statement:
- As part of a continued effort to improve school standards in this year’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a further £2.3 billion for schools in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic year.
- An extra £1.6 billion is being invested into 16-19 education in training in 2024-25
- The introduction of tax-free bursary programme was announced, to support the FE workforce through the recruitment, retention and development of teachers.
While investment is welcome, there are great challenges ahead for the sector, with growing teacher supply issues, energy costs and ongoing socio-economic turbulence.
As we look to the future, new Education Secretory Gillian Keegan is tasked with providing some well-needed stability and focus, ensuring that education is prioritised, with education remaining a key ingredient for economic growth and stability throughout 2023 and beyond.