Western Mail

Building Surge Lifts Hopes for Economy

THE recovery in the construction industry strengthened in February as activity surged to an eight-month high, boosting hopes that the UK's economy will return to growth The latest Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey for the construction sector - a reading above 50 indicates growth - rose to 56.5 last month from 53.7 in January, as it continued to bounce back from December's snow disruption There was a marked rise in housebuilding, which declined in the final four months of 201...

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TIME FOR A CHANGE AT THE TOP After a series of damning reports into the state of education in Wales, the sector is having to take stock. In a letter to colleagues, the Assembly Government's director of education signals a change at the top.

Director Begins Overhaul of Education Department ; Responseto Poorreports

THE director general of education in Wales has announced an overhaul of his own department following a series of damning reports into school standards. Emyr Roberts said changes had been driven by the need for a EURmore logical and understandable structureEUR with better integration of policy, delivery and funding responsibilities.

Join the Great Chain of Reading and Be Inspired ; University View

FOR ME, reading is an everyday activity. I read novels, poems and plays because I love them and I am inspired by them, and, of course, in order to choose suitable material for my teaching. Sometimes I read a great work that makes me think differently about the world, or that makes me think of questions I really want to find answers to - that's when I attempt to write about it in an article or scholarly book.

Exeter the First Member of 1994 Group to Say It Will Charge Pounds 9,000 Tuition Fee

EXETER yesterday became the latest university to announce plans to charge students pounds 9,000 tuition fees from next year. But the institution said it is developing a newpackage of fee waivers and bursaries to encourage poorer students to apply.

Film Students Focus On Al Caponeeurswelsh Pal ; Newporteursexchange Visit to Chicago Strengthens Links

STUDENTS have returned from a weekEURs exchange to the worldEURs largest film department. Budding filmmakers Daniel OEURHara and Richard Starkey travelled from Newport University to ChicagoEURs Columbia College as part of an ambitious partnership between the institutions.

Take Time Today to Read with a Child to Mark World Book Day ; Ministereursview

MORE THAN 100 countries across the world will today be joining a celebration of books and reading as part of World Book Day. We know that strong literacy skills are fundamental to our society. This is why the future of education in Wales must be focused on raising literacy levels.

Blocking Device Targets Unwanted Sales Phone Calls

THEY are a nuisance to homeowners the length and breadth of Britain. But with an estimated 1.5 billion made to the public every year, the unwanted sales call could soon be a thing of the past.

Rising Numbers Chasing University Places

RISING numbers of would-be students are applying to start university in September, as the pressure to find a place intensifies. Already 604,705 people have submitted applications for this year, a rise of 2.9%, or an extra 16,848 applicants compared to last year, according to statistics published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas).

Childminders Highlight Role in Fostering Desire to Learn ; Callfor Wagsupport

A LEADING childcare organisation has called on the Assembly Government to support home-based education by investing in training and development. The National Childminding Association (NCMA) Cymru believes learning at home is beneficial to a child's development and providers deserve recognition for the contribution they make to families across Wales.

Students Fromwales Gain Insight Into Leading Chinese Industries

STAFF and students from colleges across Wales are in China this week to swap expertise with their counterparts in Chongqing. Held to coincide with St David's Day, it has been organised by the Welsh Assembly Government and is the first event of its kind.

Helping Kids to Find Their Goals

FORMER England football manager Kevin Keegan is taking part in an educational initiative to interest youngsters in jobs in the football industry. He is one of 11 experts in the sport who will showcase the varied careers to be found in football, creating a team of teenagers who will get the chance to do their dream job for a day.

Trio Start Careers Measuring Numbers of National Importance ; to Coincide with World Maths Day, Which Took Place This Week, Three Young Economists with the Office for National Statistics Spoke to Education Wales About the Role Played by Mathematics in Shaping Their Career Choice

STATISTICS have never been a hotter topic. Take Gross Domestic Product, for instance. ItEURs a thermometer, taking the nationEURs economic temperature by measuring what we earn, spend and save. Once every three months, the City of London waits with bated breath for the GDP EURfirst estimateEUR.

St John Cadets to Record the Early Experiences of the Elderly

YOUNG people will take part in a new digital history project to remember the work of St John Ambulance volunteers during World War II. St John cadets, aged 11-18, will visit care homes across South Wales to interview elderly people about their childhood memories. Contributions will be published in a special memory book and a host of digital stories will be created and edited by the young people.

One Day. One Answer ; If You Say Yes to These Six Questions, the Western Mail Urges You to Vote Yes in Today's Referendum

Our Country Is Grown Up Enough to Make Our Own Decisions ; Western Mail Comment

TODAY the people of Wales take part in a referendum that will give the National Assembly the opportunity to make laws in the same way as every other legislature in the world - without the need to seek permission from politicians in a neighbouring country. Put like that, it seems astonishing that anybody could think seriously about voting No.

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New Identity for Climate Charity ; Wales Newsbulletin

ONE of the first organisations in Wales to promote energy saving and renewable energy and to campaign on the problems of climate change is changing its name. Eco Centre Wales is the new name for the West Wales ECO Centre.

Woman Killed in Mid-Wales Crash ; Wales Newsbulletin

A WOMAN died in a motorcycle crash with a car yesterday. The unnamed woman, 51, was in the collision on the A487 near Llanon, close to Aberaeron, at 8.20am. The road was closed in both directions for a while.

Doneurt Use Todayeurs Poll to Register a Protest, Voters Are Urged ; Eurwaituntilmayelectionif Youareunhappywithamseur

WELSH voters have been urged not to use todayEURs referendum on full law-making powers for the Assembly as an opportunity for a protest vote. The Yes for Wales campaign called on people unhappy with the performance of AMs to wait until the May 5 Assembly election before expressing their anger at the ballot box.