Cardiff, Wales – The Prydain Centre is proud to announce the launch of its first policy paper, Producing the Meritocracy: The Case for Selective Education in Wales. This pioneering document seeks to address the longstanding educational crisis in Wales and offers a bold, forward-looking proposal for reform.
As Wales faces an increasingly competitive, knowledge-based global economy, the gap between Welsh students and their counterparts in the UK and beyond continues to widen, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In response to this crisis, the Prydain Centre advocates for the reintroduction of selective education in Wales, drawing on the successful historical model of grammar schools.
In Producing the Meritocracy, the Prydain Centre argues that ability-based selection—far from being a relic of the past—was once a powerful catalyst for social mobility. The grammar school system, which thrived in the mid-20th century, provided students from all social classes with opportunities to excel, shaping a generation of leaders across all sectors. However, today’s comprehensive system, with its one-size-fits-all approach, has entrenched inequalities, with quality education increasingly becoming the preserve of the wealthy.
This paper does not call for a return to the past but rather advocates for a meritocratic system suited to the needs of today’s students. Drawing on international examples from countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, Producing the Meritocracy proposes a tailored approach to education, which streams students into grammar, technical, or vocational pathways based on their aptitude and aspirations.
The paper details the successes of selective education systems abroad, highlights the failings of Wales’s current education framework, and presents actionable proposals for reform. At its core, the Prydain Centre believes that selective education can provide every Welsh child with the best chance to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
“Wales needs an education system that empowers every student to reach their full potential, irrespective of background. A meritocratic approach, based on ability and aspirations, is the way forward,” said [Name], Director of the Prydain Centre. “Our first publication is an invitation to engage in a national conversation about how we can build a stronger, fairer education system for Wales.”
“The Prydain Centre’s vision is to shape the centre-right agenda in Wales and to advocate for policies that promote social mobility, personal freedom, and economic growth. This publication marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to redefine Welsh education and offer solutions that meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
About the Prydain Centre
The Prydain Centre is a think tank committed to shaping the future of Wales through research and policy proposals that prioritise meritocracy, economic growth, and social mobility. The Centre advocates for the reintroduction of selective education as part of a broader effort to transform Wales into a beacon of opportunity for all its citizens.’
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Editor’s Notes: Producing the Meritocracy