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Pupils are disadvantaged by confusion and inconsistency around the Welsh Baccalaureate (WBQ), a report published today warns.

The Wales-only qualification is still poorly understood by schools, universities and employers, more than a decade after it was launched.

A Welsh Assembly committee survey was told the qualification has also seen an increase in the number of pupils only taking two A-levels while others drop subjects like French at GCSE.

The committee's comprehensive study into the qualification also found variation in the way schools and colleges deliver the qualification.

And Lynne Neagle AM - chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee - said teaching of the qualification was "worryingly inconsistent".

Universities and employers are divided about the value and meaning of the WBQ, which was relaunched in 2015.

Despite contacting every UK university asking them to answer a short survey about the WBQ, the committee did not have a single response from an academic institution.

However, it did receive 69 responses from individual staff members.

Two responses from senior staff at Cardiff University, which includes the WBQ in its offers, said they do not consider it A level equivalent.

Another fellow employee said it was felt that it disadvantaged students from Wales and "may negatively affect future job prospects".

And one anonymous response from a senior academic at another Welsh institution said they wished their department did not make offers including the WBQ - but felt under “considerable political pressures” to do so.

On the other hand, Bristol University said the WBQ allowed students to study a subject in more detail.

Among employers answers to the survey, respondents said there was a lack of awareness and understanding about the WBQ but the majority felt it was "a positive way to introduce softer skills".

And at secondary school level, the committee had 777 responses from pupils and 426 from parents and guardians.

More than half of the students surveyed mentioned how time consuming the WBQ is and some felt it hampered other studies.

"I was more interested in taking more A level courses but was forced and had to drop one of my A levels in order to do it,” said one student.

Another added: “It takes up an option at GCSE. I would have studied French but didn’t have enough options.”"

But some students felt the WBQ had given them extra skills.

Making 10 recommendations, the committee said the WBQ could be a rewarding qualification if delivered effectively.

The Committee said it wanted a "clearer statement" from the Welsh Government about its "vision" for the WBQ.

It also recommended better ways of promoting the qualification to businesses and higher education institutions.

And a committee document "poor communication, lack of understanding and lack of resources" had all contributed to "sub-standard learning experiences for some pupils" taking the WBQ.

Committee chair Ms Neagle there was still clear merit to the scheme.

But she warned: "However, we concluded that the way in which the qualification is currently delivered and publicised is having a detrimental effect on its actual and perceived value.

“Teaching of the Bacc remains worryingly inconsistent, and duplication of effort and unmanageable assessment requirements are leaving teachers and learners understandably fatigued."

Regulator, Qualifications Wales, said it wants to raise awareness about the WBQ.

A spokesman said: "Our own independent research published last year, and cited in the report, has been taken on board along with recognition of the steps we have taken since. This includes the recent appointment of a dedicated HE officer, who visits universities across the UK to explain the Skills Challenge Certificate and the Welsh Bacc."

A Welsh Government spokesman said: We welcome the committee's findings that there is clear merit in studying the Welsh Baccalaureate in terms of the breadth of skills developed by learners.

"However, we recognise there is more to do in promoting the benefits of the Welsh Bacc. We are working closely with Qualifications Wales and WJEC to develop a communications plan to ensure that parents, learners, univerities and employers understand the key skills that learners develop while undertaking the Skills Challenge Certificate qualifications. We will be responding to the recommendations in duer ccourse."

In January this year Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan wrote to the committee saying the views expressed by its staff to the inquiry were not that of the university.

The letter said: " The views of individual respondents based at the institution do not reflect our policy or practice....Cardiff University accepts the WBQ Advanced Diploma for admission to all of its undergraduate degree programmes, with the Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma Core accepted as equivalent to an A Level."