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Minister admits lack of progress for Traveller pupils

2 mins read Education
Government progress on supporting the educational needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children has remained "flat" over the past five years, the children's minister has admitted.

Speaking to a cross-party group of MPs, children's minister Nadhim Zahawi said he had to be "honest" about progress on attainment levels among the group, which are far below the national average.

"It terms of attainment progress, things have remained relatively flat,' said Zahawi. "There's a lot of work we need to do."

Addressing the Women and Equalities Committee, Zahawi quoted attainment results from 2016/17, showing that only 11 per cent of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils achieved a grade C or above in English and Maths GCSE, and only 22 per cent among traveller or Irish heritage children. 

This was in comparison to a national average of 64 per cent. 

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