A MORE competitive incentive to attract and retain new secondary school teachers in Wales has been announced as part of 100-day plan.

The Initial Teacher Education (ITE) incentive in priority subjects will rise by £5,000, to £20,000 from September 2026, as part of the new Welsh Government's 100-day plan.

Eligible priority subject areas within secondary education are: Biology, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Digital Technology and/or Computer Science, Mathematics, International languages, Physics and Welsh.

Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language Anna Brychan said:

“Education is at the heart of this new government, and we are clear that the education workforce needs to be supported to achieve our national mission for education, in raising standards and providing learners with the best foundation for their futures.

“Alongside improving conditions for teachers and professional development, it’s vital that we have a sustainable workforce and encourage more people into teaching. I am pleased to be able to announce a more competitive incentive as one of my first actions in my new role and I hope to build on this increase over the course of this next four years.

“We want to harness the talent and skills we have here in Wales to achieve our ambitions for education, ensuring that the money not only supports people to train in Wales, but we also retain those skills to benefit learners across Wales.”

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, said:

“To raise standards in our schools we must invest in our dedicated and talented workforce, both by supporting them and providing the tools they need, alongside strengthening teacher recruitment.”

The incentive will be structured across three payments and will be available to eligible students in the forthcoming academic year of 2026 to 2027, which starts in September.