TEACHERS from across Wales demanded urgent changes to education in the country at their conference in Swansea.

The National Education Union (NEU) Cymru said the Welsh government must address the unacceptable condition of many school buildings.

NEU Wales secretary Nicola Fitzpatrick said: “We need urgent and sustained funding to ensure all Welsh schools provide safe, healthy environments for learning.”

The union also agreed that supply teachers must have equal access to terms and conditions, with proper funding levels to be restored to local authorities and schools.

Delegates also agreed to demand the end of the growing use of non-qualified support staff being used to deliver lessons and assume teaching responsibilities for absent colleagues.

The conference agreed that the Welsh government must remind schools and councils that, other than in cases of short-term emergency absence, only fully qualified teachers should be used to teach pupils.

The union also demanded an increase in Welsh government funding for additional learning needs and mental health provision in schools.

“Every employee has the right to feel safe and secure in their place of employment, and we look forward to working with the Welsh government to tackle behaviour issues in schools and colleges,” Ms Fitzpatrick added.