Translate the text from Welsh to English.



 
Heddiw, bydd Estyn yn cyhoeddi llythyr yn amlinellu canlyniadau ei ymweliad monitro diweddar â Thorfaen (a gynhaliwyd rhwng 18 a 22 Chwefror 2013\).  Yn dilyn arolygiad gan Estyn o wasanaethau addysg Torfaen ym mis Hydref 2011, nodwyd bod angen gweithredu mesurau Gwelliant Sylweddol mewn perthynas â’r awdurdod. Gwneir y datganiad hwn i dynnu sylw’r Aelodau at ddyfarniadau Estyn yn sgil cynnal yr ymweliad monitro hwn.  
Mae’r llythyr sy’n crynhoi canlyniadau’r ymweliad yn cynnwys beirniadaethau o berfformiad yr awdurdod lleol. Nododd y tîm arolygu na wnaed llawer o gynnydd gan yr awdurdod yn erbyn y rhan fwyaf o’r argymhellion, a bod gwelliant wedi bod yn araf ers cynnal yr arolygiad gwreiddiol ym mis Hydref 2011\.    
Ar ôl cwblhau’r arolygiad gwreiddiol, cyflwynodd Estyn bump o argymhellion i’r awdurdod eu gweithredu, ond yn ystod yr ymweliad monitro daeth yr arolygiaeth i’r casgliad mai dim ond tri argymhelliad oedd wedi’u gweithredu’n rhannol, ac nad oedd wedi rhoi sylw i’r ddau arall. Felly, mae’r tîm arolygu o’r farn nad yw’r awdurdod wedi gwneud cynnydd digonol o ran gweithredu argymhellion yr adroddiad arolygu ac y dylid rhoi’r awdurdod yn y categori Mesurau Arbennig.  
Mae casgliadau Estyn yn destun pryder imi. Mae’n hynod o siomedig gweld bod awdurdod a allai fod wedi elwa ar arolygiad Estyn, ac a gafodd argymhellion clir i’w gweithredu, wedi methu â mynd i’r afael â’r problemau yn ddigon cyflym ac â’r brys yr oedd ei angen. Mae casgliadau Estyn mai ychydig o gynnydd a wnaed gan yr awdurdod, a hynny’n gynnydd araf, 16 mis wedi’r arolygiad gwreiddiol, yn annerbyniol. Rwy’n disgwyl i Arweinydd y Cyngor gymryd y camau priodol.     
Mae’r methiannau hyn yn dangos gwendidau difrifol yn y modd y mae’r awdurdod yn rheoli gwasanaethau addysg. Rhaid i’n hymateb wella deilliannau i blant a phobl ifanc yr ardal ar frys, a hefyd rhaid i unrhyw gamau a gymerir fod yn gynaliadwy yn y tymor hir. I’r perwyl hwn, bydd fy adran yn gweithio dros yr wythnosau nesaf i ystyried y ffordd orau o ymateb. Bydd yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y camau arfaethedig yr ydym am eu cymryd yn cael ei rhoi i Aelodau’r Cynulliad cyn gynted ag y byddaf wedi gwneud penderfyniad ar y mater.  





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Today Estyn publishes a letter outlining the results of its recent monitoring visit to Torfaen (which took place between the 18 and 22 February 2013\).  Following Estyn’s inspection of Torfaen’s education services in October 2011 the authority was identified as requiring Significant Improvement.  We are making this statement to highlight to Members the judgements that Estyn has reached following this monitoring visit.


The letter summarising the outcome of the monitoring visit contains criticisms of the performance of the local authority.  The inspection team found that since the original inspection in October 2011 the authority has made limited progress against most of the recommendations and improvements have been slow. 


On completion of the original inspection Estyn identified five recommendations for the authority to address, during the monitoring visit the inspectorate concluded that the authority has partially addressed 3 of these recommendations and not addressed the remaining two.  As such it is the view of the inspection team that the authority has made insufficient progress to address the recommendations in the inspection report and that the authority should be placed in the category of Special Measures.  


I am very concerned to note Estyn’s findings.  It is particularly disappointing to see that an authority that has had the benefit of an Estyn inspection, and been left with clear recommendations to address, has failed to tackle the issues with the required pace and urgency.  The conclusion reached by Estyn, that 16 months after their initial inspection the progress made by the authority has been limited and slow, is unacceptable. I look to the Leader of the Council to take the appropriate action.


These failings reflect serious weaknesses in the management of education services.  Our response needs to quickly improve outcomes for children and young people in the area, but any action we take must also be sustainable in the long term.  As such my department will be working over the coming weeks to consider how best to respond.  A full update on our proposed course of action will be provided to Assembly members as soon I have determined the matter.