Michelle Donelan has used her first comments as education secretary to tell teachers and others in the education system that she “cannot let them down”.
Speaking in the Commons today during a debate, Ms Donelan said education had ”always been my personal focus”.
She said she was where she is today owing to the “countless teachers, the countless lecturers, schools, staff, administrative staff, parents, pupils and all those keep who keep our education system running”.
Ms Donelan was appointed as the new education secretary late last night following Nadhim Zahawi’s move to the treasury.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Donelan said that those in the education system were “looking to Westminster today for reassurance that their priorities do matter”.
“Exams results day is coming, Covid recovery is ongoing, so I stand here today because I cannot let them down,” she said.
Ms Donelan said this was why it was “vital” that “stories” and “experiences of real people” did not “get lost in the debate today”.
She added: “Forget the Westminster bubble - if you were a parent of a disabled child wondering what this government is doing to make your local school better equipped and more inclusive, then this is the debate for you.”
Earlier today, school leaders warned that Donelan should tackle the “real dangers facing schools”, adding that she faces “considerable challenges”.
The former universities minister is the third education secretary to take up the role in the current academic year.
The Department for Education has been hit by a wave of resignations today including schools minister Robin Walker and children’s minister Will Quince.
