**Welsh Teenagers Paid to Stay in School under Life-Changing Welsh Government Scheme**
A growing number of teenagers in Wales are receiving a weekly payment simply to remain in education, with many saying it has made all the difference in enabling them to continue their studies beyond the age of 16. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), funded by the Welsh Government, now offers eligible learners aged 16 to 18 a grant of £40 per week, helping to cover the various costs associated with attending sixth form or college.
For Evan Gill, 18, who is preparing to take A-levels in maths, further maths, physics, and geography with aspirations for university, the EMA scheme has been “fundamental” to his educational journey. “Text books cost £20 each, even second hand ones are £10,” he explained, highlighting the financial pressures many students face. “Pens and paper for revision can also end up being surprisingly expensive.” Without EMA, Evan said he would likely have needed to take on extra shifts at his part-time job in the Principality Stadium, which he believes would have hurt his academic performance.
The importance of EMA is echoed throughout Fitzalan High School in Cardiff, where Matthew Rea, head of sixth form, says that 186 out of 350 sixth form students currently receive the allowance. With 40% of pupils at the school eligible for free school meals, Matthew emphasises that “some pupils would not return to sixth form without it.” As the cost of living continues to surge, support such as this becomes increasingly “vital,” he adds.
Recently, eligibility criteria for the EMA have been broadened, meaning thousands more 16 to 18-year-olds across Wales can now benefit. Under the new rules, households with one dependent child qualify if their income is £23,400 or less, while those with two or more dependent children are eligible if the household income is £25,974 or less. These payments are linked to attendance, encouraging consistent engagement with studies as a condition for receiving the allowance.
Sixteen-year-old Rahma Liban, about to finish her GCSEs at Fitzalan High, said the £40 weekly EMA payment proved to be a turning point in her decision to stay on for A-levels. “Knowing I can get EMA gave me a push to come back,” she admitted. With daily bus fares, alongside the need for stationery and books, the financial support offered peace of mind and made post-16 education a clearer option.
Aaliyah Brito, 17, in year 12, shares a similar story. Studying four A-levels, including Welsh and history, she faces hefty expenses for textbooks and revision guides, not to mention daily travel costs. “My sister is in the same school year so it is a big expense, us both being at school,” she noted. Though she would have tried to continue her education regardless, Aaliyah admits EMA has been a significant help.
Raonaq Ali, 17, is also a beneficiary of the EMA scheme. Aspiring to study medicine, he relies on his weekly payment to afford transport, books, and even fees to enter academic competitions. “Without EMA I would have needed to get a part-time job, which would have affected my grades,” he explained. “Having EMA means I can focus on my studies instead of worrying about getting another job.”
The impact of financial barriers on a student’s decision to continue education cannot be underestimated, says Mr Rea, who warmly welcomed the wider access to EMA. “It is important to remove barriers to education for those not from the most privileged backgrounds,” he said. With money worries, part-time work, and the costs of basic resources all taking their toll on young people’s educational success, schemes like EMA play a crucial role in levelling the playing field.
Further Education Minister Vikki Howells emphasised the rationale for broadening EMA eligibility following an independent review, noting how paid work can tempt students away from studies. The EMA, being attendance-linked, has an added benefit of encouraging regular school attendance—a policy that not only fosters academic achievement, but eases financial strain.
While similar maintenance allowances continue at a lower rate in Scotland and Northern Ireland, England ended its version of the payment in 2011. Now, Welsh teenagers from lower-income households can check their eligibility and apply online or via their schools, ensuring that more young people can stay in education without being hindered by financial hardship.
The Welsh Government’s decision to widen access to the EMA clearly marks a commitment to support the nation’s youth, echoing the views of teachers, ministers, and students alike: financial support is not just a lifeline, but a vital investment in Wales’ future.