English: Indeed, recent Welsh Government-commissioned research, published via Hwb, has outlined that outdoor education has well-established benefits for children and young people in both their physical health and well-being, but also their mental health and well-being. In addition to this, Welsh Government-commissioned research found that outdoor education has exceptional benefits for personal and social learning, cognitive development and appreciation of our environment, and with our climate crisis, this is more important now than ever before. Along with this, research from across the world has further outlined that if a child experiences these benefits at a young age, they will carry it through for the rest of their life, making a lasting difference. Furthermore, the Curriculum for Wales's health and well-being area of learning and experience contains statements of 'what matters', which place importance on responding to experiences, decision making and social influences. These are all fundamental within outdoor education, as fully realised through an outdoor education residential experience. I'd now like to move on to why the Bill is needed here in Wales, and what the published research and statistics are telling us. I'd firstly like to put on record my thanks to those schools and organisations through which we currently see outdoor education taking place, with fantastic work being carried out to enable this to happen. The main rationale behind my Bill is that all this good work that schools and organisations are currently doing simply doesn't go far enough, because it's seen as enrichment rather than an essential part of education, with many parts of our communities missing out due to financial constraints, where they live or their family background, and I'll go into that a little bit more shortly. As Members will be aware, last week, with the help of the outdoor education sector and the Senedd's research team, I produced a statistical paper that briefly outlines what we currently see with those who participate in outdoor education, as, regretfully, there were no official statistics about the number of outdoor education residential visits or how many of our children and young people in Wales are gaining the clear range of benefits that they provide. This statistical paper has surveyed 350 schools across 18 of Wales's local authorities, and working with the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel Cymru, I collected data that shows four key findings. Firstly, in over a third of Welsh schools, of those children offered the opportunity to participate in outdoor education residential visits, fewer than 75 per cent of children take part. Secondly, 60 per cent of schools surveyed cited financial reasons as the main barrier to participation in outdoor education residential visits. Thirdly, over one in five Welsh schools do not offer a subsidy to those families who are financially constrained. And fourthly, initial research has also suggested that more affluent areas will see more children participate in outdoor education visits, while those in less affluent areas participate less. Indeed, those survey results found that in Blaenau Gwent, 65 per cent of schools indicated financial constraints as an issue; in Caerphilly, 70 per cent of schools indicated financial constraints as an issue; and in Rhondda Cynon Taf, 75 per cent of schools showed that financial constraints are an issue, whilst in Monmouthshire, it was 45 per cent outlining this as an issue. In addition, during this process, a key thing that struck me is the fact that, regretfully, an outdoor education visit may, in fact, be the only time that some of your youngsters actually have the opportunity to see beyond the communities that they live in, and experience something new. So, along with my statistical paper, I'm sure avid followers of my Twitter and Facebook pages saw two key articles that I shared this summer in relation to outdoor education. Firstly, new research from Swansea University, published via BBC Wales, found that children in Wales were among the world's least fit, with researchers giving Wales's youngsters an F for fitness. A second BBC article, featuring research from Sport Wales, found that children are doing less sport than they were four years ago, with 36 per cent of children not doing any activities outside of their school physical education lessons, compared with 28 per cent just four years ago. I'm sure all Members from across the Chamber can agree that it's simply not right that a significant proportion of our young people across Wales don't have the chance to participate in something so beneficial, due to either where they're from or their family's financial situation. I believe that we cannot stand back and look at our children becoming unhealthier and our young people not engaging in outdoor activities, and for us to sit here and not to do anything about it is simply not acceptable. Moving on to the financial costs, which I know Members are keen to understand further, and I think it's only fair that we address this issue as well. The initial research and understanding has shown that this would cost between £9.9 million and £13.6 million to fund, which is around 0.06 per cent of the Welsh Government's total budget. Nevertheless, following the Bill's implementation, I believe we would actually see cost benefits from this Bill, with savings to public services through improved health, well-being, mental health services and education outcomes, along with an enhanced appreciation of the environment. Furthermore, the introduction and support of this Bill would contribute to four key purposes of the Welsh Government's Curriculum for Wales: we would see even more ambitious and capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives; we would see enterprising and creative contributors who are ready to play a full part in life and work; we would see more ethical and informed citizens who are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world; and finally, we would see healthier and confident individuals who are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society. I'd also like to just update Members as to how this is working in other parts of the United Kingdom. As some will be aware, there's an outdoor education Bill currently working its way through the Scottish Parliament, and it's been extremely useful to talk to colleagues there and understand that there is cross-party support there too for such a proposal. It's also important to outline the support coming from the outdoor education sector when it comes to this Bill, because despite working on this for the last three months, I can't claim at all that I'm an expert, unlike those who are in the outdoor education sector, who live, breathe and work outdoor education day in and day out. And Members will note, as I'm sure they've read the explanatory memorandum, in section 41, the sheer support from leading outdoor organisations across Wales, including Urdd Gobaith Cymru, the Institute for Outdoor Learning, the Wales Council for Outdoor Learning, the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel and Ramblers Cymru. Deputy Presiding Officer, there are a number of organisations that I could go on to list, but there's a huge amount of support out there for this Bill. I'd also like to express my understanding and reality that a lot more work needs to be done with this Bill. Over the past few months, I and many others have found lots of significant work and data around why the Bill is needed, but there is of course more that needs to be done to understand this fully. And that's why I believe there's a crucial role for opposition and backbench Members of this Senedd to be able to work cross-party to bring forward positive and lasting changes that will complement the work being carried out by the Welsh Government. It's also crucial to note that, by supporting today's motion, it allows me to start the process of working tirelessly over the next year, hand in hand with the outdoor sector, to gain more evidence and data regarding the need for outdoor education residential stays, and consequently present this to the Senedd in a year's time. But it's important to reiterate that today's vote can be used as an opportunity for a backbench and opposition Member to seek to introduce important legislation that will deliver lasting changes and complement the work of the Welsh Government. So, in closing, Deputy Presiding Officer, I'd like to thank all the organisations and staff who've worked tirelessly in helping me produce the Bill's explanatory memorandum, the statistical paper, along with a summary of the Bill. But I'd also like to thank Members from across the Senedd for taking the time out of their busy schedules to discuss this Bill with me, along with the Minister for education, who I look forward to hearing from later in this debate, and his positive discussions so far. I look forward to Members' contributions to today's motion and welcome discussions and questions regarding my proposals. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Welsh: Yn wir, mae ymchwil diweddar a gomisiynwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ac a gyhoeddwyd drwy Hwb, wedi nodi bod addysg awyr agored yn arwain at fanteision pendant i blant a phobl ifanc o ran eu hiechyd a'u lles corfforol, ond hefyd eu hiechyd meddwl. Yn ogystal â hyn, canfu ymchwil a gomisiynwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru fod gan addysg awyr agored fanteision eithriadol o ran dysgu personol a chymdeithasol, datblygiad gwybyddol a gwerthfawrogiad o'n hamgylchedd, a chyda'n hargyfwng hinsawdd, mae hyn yn bwysicach yn awr nag erioed. Ynghyd â hyn, mae ymchwil o bob rhan o'r byd wedi nodi ymhellach, os yw plentyn yn profi'r manteision hyn yn ifanc, y bydd hynny'n cael effaith arnynt am weddill eu hoes, gan wneud gwahaniaeth parhaol. Ymhellach, mae maes dysgu a phrofiad iechyd a lles y Cwricwlwm i Gymru yn cynnwys datganiadau o'r 'hyn sy'n bwysig', sy'n rhoi pwys ar ymateb i brofiadau, gwneud penderfyniadau a dylanwadau cymdeithasol. Mae'r rhain oll yn elfennau sylfaenol o addysg awyr agored, fel y'u gwireddir yn llawn drwy brofiad preswyl o addysg awyr agored. Hoffwn symud ymlaen yn awr at y rhesymau pam fod angen y Bil yma yng Nghymru, a'r hyn y mae'r ymchwil a'r ystadegau a gyhoeddwyd yn ei ddweud wrthym. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddiolch i'r ysgolion a'r sefydliadau sy'n darparu addysg awyr agored ar hyn o bryd, gyda'r gwaith gwych sy'n mynd rhagddo i alluogi hyn i ddigwydd. Y brif resymeg y tu ôl i'm Bil yw nad yw'r holl waith da hwn y mae ysgolion a sefydliadau'n ei wneud ar hyn o bryd yn mynd yn ddigon pell, gan ei fod yn cael ei ystyried yn rhywbeth sy'n cyfoethogi yn hytrach na'n rhan hanfodol o addysg, gyda sawl rhan o'n cymunedau ar eu colled oherwydd cyfyngiadau ariannol, ble maent yn byw neu eu cefndir teuluol, a byddaf yn sôn am hynny mewn mwy o fanylder yn y man. Fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau, yr wythnos diwethaf, gyda chymorth y sector addysg awyr agored a thîm ymchwil y Senedd, cyhoeddais bapur ystadegol sy'n amlinellu'n gryno yr hyn a welwn ar hyn o bryd gyda'r rhai sy'n cymryd rhan mewn addysg awyr agored, oherwydd, yn anffodus, nid oedd unrhyw ystadegau swyddogol ynghylch nifer yr ymweliadau preswyl addysg awyr agored neu faint o'n plant a'n pobl ifanc yng Nghymru sy'n cael yr ystod glir o fanteision y maent yn eu darparu. Mae'r papur ystadegol hwn wedi cynnal arolwg o 350 o ysgolion ar draws 18 o awdurdodau lleol Cymru, a thrwy weithio gyda Phanel Cynghorwyr Addysg Awyr Agored Cymru, cesglais ddata sy'n dangos pedwar canfyddiad allweddol. Yn gyntaf, mewn dros draean o ysgolion Cymru, o'r plant y cynigir cyfle iddynt gymryd rhan mewn ymweliadau preswyl addysg awyr agored, mae llai na 75 y cant o blant yn cymryd rhan. Yn ail, nododd 60 y cant o'r ysgolion y gwnaed arolwg ohonynt mai rhesymau ariannol yw'r prif rwystr rhag cymryd rhan mewn ymweliadau preswyl addysg awyr agored. Yn drydydd, nid yw dros un o bob pump o ysgolion Cymru yn cynnig cymhorthdal i deuluoedd sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd yn ariannol. Ac yn bedwerydd, mae ymchwil cychwynnol wedi awgrymu hefyd y bydd mwy o blant o ardaloedd mwy cefnog yn cymryd rhan mewn ymweliadau addysg awyr agored, tra bo'r rheini mewn ardaloedd llai cefnog yn cymryd rhan yn llai aml. Yn wir, canfu canlyniadau'r arolwg fod 65 y cant o ysgolion ym Mlaenau Gwent wedi nodi cyfyngiadau ariannol fel problem; yng Nghaerffili, nododd 70 y cant o ysgolion fod cyfyngiadau ariannol yn broblem; ac yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, nododd 75 y cant o'r ysgolion fod cyfyngiadau ariannol yn broblem, tra bo 45 y cant yn unig yn amlinellu hyn fel problem yn sir Fynwy. Yn ogystal, yn ystod y broses hon, un peth allweddol a nodais yw'r ffaith anffodus mai ymweliad addysg awyr agored, mewn gwirionedd, yw'r unig gyfle o bosibl y caiff rhai o'ch pobl ifanc weld y tu hwnt i'r cymunedau y maent yn byw ynddynt, ac i gael profiad o rywbeth newydd. Felly, gyda fy mhapur ystadegol, rwy'n siŵr fod dilynwyr brwd fy nghyfrif Twitter a fy nhudalen Facebook wedi gweld dwy erthygl allweddol a rannais yr haf hwn mewn perthynas ag addysg awyr agored. Yn gyntaf, canfu ymchwil newydd gan Brifysgol Abertawe, a gyhoeddwyd drwy BBC Cymru, fod plant yng Nghymru ymhlith y plant lleiaf heini yn y byd, gydag ymchwilwyr yn rhoi F am ffitrwydd i blant a phobl ifanc Cymru. Canfu ail erthygl gan y BBC, a oedd yn cynnwys ymchwil gan Chwaraeon Cymru, fod plant yn cymryd rhan mewn llai o chwaraeon nag a wnaent bedair blynedd yn ôl, gyda 36 y cant o blant heb fod yn gwneud unrhyw weithgareddau y tu allan i'w gwersi addysg gorfforol yn yr ysgol, o gymharu â 28 y cant bedair blynedd yn ôl yn unig. Rwy'n siŵr y gall pob Aelod o bob rhan o'r Siambr gytuno nad yw'n iawn nad yw cyfran sylweddol o'n pobl ifanc ledled Cymru yn cael cyfle i gymryd rhan mewn rhywbeth sydd mor fuddiol, naill ai oherwydd o ble maent yn dod neu sefyllfa ariannol eu teulu. Credaf na allwn sefyll yn ôl a gadael i'n plant fynd yn llai iach a'n pobl ifanc i beidio â chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau awyr agored, ac nid yw'n dderbyniol inni eistedd yma a pheidio â gwneud dim ynglŷn â'r peth. Gan symud ymlaen at y costau ariannol, y gwn fod yr Aelodau'n awyddus i'w deall yn well, a chredaf ei bod ond yn deg ein bod yn rhoi sylw i'r mater hwn hefyd. Mae'r ymchwil a'r ddealltwriaeth gychwynnol wedi dangos y byddai hyn yn costio rhwng £9.9 miliwn a £13.6 miliwn i'w ariannu, sef oddeutu 0.06 y cant o gyfanswm cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru. Serch hynny, ar ôl i'r Bil gael ei roi mewn grym, credaf y byddem yn gweld manteision ariannol o ganlyniad iddo mewn gwirionedd, gydag arbedion i wasanaethau cyhoeddus drwy welliannau i iechyd, llesiant, gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl a chanlyniadau addysg, ynghyd â gwell gwerthfawrogiad o'r amgylchedd. Yn ogystal â hynny, byddai cyflwyno a chefnogi'r Bil hwn yn cyfrannu at bedwar diben allweddol Cwricwlwm i Gymru Llywodraeth Cymru: byddem yn gweld dysgwyr hyd yn oed yn fwy uchelgeisiol a galluog sy'n barod i ddysgu drwy gydol eu hoes; byddem yn gweld cyfranwyr mentrus a chreadigol sy'n barod i chwarae rhan lawn mewn bywyd a gwaith; byddem yn gweld dinasyddion mwy moesegol a gwybodus sy'n barod i fod yn ddinasyddion Cymru a'r byd; ac yn olaf, byddem yn gweld unigolion iachach a hyderus sy'n barod i fyw bywydau boddhaus fel aelodau gwerthfawr o gymdeithas. Hoffwn roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau hefyd ynglŷn â sut y mae hyn yn gweithio mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig. Fel y bydd rhai yn gwybod, mae Bil addysg awyr agored yn gweithio'i ffordd drwy Senedd yr Alban ar hyn o bryd, ac mae wedi bod yn hynod ddefnyddiol siarad â chymheiriaid yno a deall bod cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol yno hefyd i gynnig o'r fath. Mae hefyd yn bwysig amlinellu'r cymorth sy'n dod o'r sector addysg awyr agored mewn perthynas â'r Bil hwn, oherwydd er imi fod yn gweithio arno dros y tri mis diwethaf, ni allaf honni o gwbl fy mod yn arbenigwr, yn wahanol i'r rheini yn y sector addysg awyr agored, sy'n byw, yn anadlu ac yn gweithio addysg awyr agored o ddydd i ddydd. A bydd yr Aelodau'n nodi, gan fy mod yn siŵr eu bod wedi darllen y memorandwm esboniadol, yn adran 41, y gefnogaeth gref gan sefydliadau awyr agored blaenllaw ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys Urdd Gobaith Cymru, y Sefydliad Dysgu yn yr Awyr Agored, Cyngor Cymru ar gyfer Dysgu yn yr Awyr Agored, y Panel Cynghorwyr Addysg Awyr Agored a'r Cerddwyr. Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae yna nifer o sefydliadau y gallwn barhau i'w rhestru, ond mae llawer iawn o gefnogaeth i'r Bil hwn. Hefyd, hoffwn fynegi fy nealltwriaeth a'r realiti fod angen gwneud llawer mwy o waith gyda'r Bil hwn. Dros yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf, rwyf fi a llawer o bobl eraill wedi dod o hyd i lawer o waith a data arwyddocaol yn ymwneud â pham fod angen y Bil, ond wrth gwrs, mae angen gwneud mwy i ddeall hyn yn llawn. A dyna pam y credaf fod rôl hollbwysig i Aelodau'r wrthblaid ac Aelodau meinciau cefn y Senedd hon allu gweithio'n drawsbleidiol i gyflwyno newidiadau cadarnhaol a pharhaol a fydd yn ategu'r gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'n hollbwysig nodi hefyd, drwy gefnogi'r cynnig heddiw, ei fod yn caniatáu imi ddechrau'r broses o weithio'n ddiflino dros y flwyddyn nesaf, law yn llaw â'r sector awyr agored, i gasglu mwy o dystiolaeth a data ynghylch yr angen am ymweliadau preswyl addysg awyr agored, ac o ganlyniad, i gyflwyno hyn i'r Senedd ymhen blwyddyn. Ond mae'n bwysig ailadrodd y gellir defnyddio pleidlais heddiw fel cyfle i Aelod o'r meinciau cefn a'r wrthblaid geisio cyflwyno deddfwriaeth bwysig a fydd yn sicrhau newidiadau parhaol ac yn ategu gwaith Llywodraeth Cymru. Felly, i gloi, Ddirprwy Lywydd, hoffwn ddiolch i'r holl sefydliadau a staff sydd wedi gweithio'n ddiflino i fy helpu i gynhyrchu memorandwm esboniadol y Bil, y papur ystadegol, ynghyd â chrynodeb o'r Bil. Ond hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i'r Aelodau ar draws y Senedd am roi amser o'u hamserlenni prysur i drafod y Bil hwn gyda mi, ynghyd â'r Gweinidog addysg, yr edrychaf ymlaen at glywed ganddo yn ddiweddarach yn y ddadl hon, a'i drafodaethau cadarnhaol hyd yn hyn. Edrychaf ymlaen at gyfraniadau'r Aelodau i'r cynnig heddiw, ac rwy'n croesawu trafodaethau a chwestiynau ynglŷn â fy nghynigion. Diolch yn fawr iawn.