NATIONALISTS accused the Welsh government today of failing pupils and teachers by not providing a safe environment to learn. 

A series of freedom of information requests by Plaid Cymru has revealed that the total maintenance backlog at Welsh schools is at least £543,249.

A total of 17 local authorities responded to the requests covering 320 schools, meaning an average backlog of £32,000 per local authority.

The party’s education spokesman Cefin Campbell said: “Half a billion pounds is the bill faced by our schools and local authorities after 25 years of Labour negligence.

“A safe place to learn is the bare minimum a government should be offering our future generation.”

In the Senedd last week, Education Cabinet Secretary Lynne Neagle said: “All local authorities have an obligation to make sure that the school estate is safe and fit for purpose.

“We are making record amounts of investment in our school buildings — nearly £2 billion since this latest programme started on new buildings — aside from the money we provide for repairs.”