Broken promise puts school heads in a bind - German

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jun 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German has accused the government of breaking their promise to headteachers by underfunding radical changes to schooling.

Speaking in the Assembly today, Mr German said the government had put heads in an impossible situation where they had trained and employed staff, but were now forced to make them reduction due to the government's botched introduction of the Foundation Phase.

At First Minister's questions, he said: "The introduction of the Foundation Phase has been a disaster. Head teachers were told there would be enough money.

They trained and employed people who may now have to be made redundant.

"You made a promise to headteachers of Wales that you would roll out the Foundation Phase. Now it's 'parts' of it. Which parts will go? Which parts will stay?"

Rhodri Morgan tried to divert the blame on to local authorities, but said he hoped there would be an agreement with the Welsh Local Government Association soon.