Department for Education

The Department for Education (DfE) is the UK government department responsible for education and children's services in England. Recent news highlights several challenges and areas of focus for the DfE. A potential funding cut for physical education (PE) in schools, initially proposed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), caused a government row, though the DHSC intends to restore the funding. This underscores the DfE's role in ensuring adequate resources for school programs. Furthermore, a survey revealed that a significant proportion of children starting school lack basic toilet training, raising concerns about early years development and the preparedness of pupils. The DfE is also addressing the impact of excessive screen time on toddlers' language development, preparing to issue guidance to parents on managing screen use in under-fives. These issues demonstrate the DfE's broad remit, encompassing not only academic standards but also children's health, well-being, and early development.