Source: National Assembly For Wales / Cynulliad Cymru

Mr Andrews quit after being criticised for his defence of a school that faced closure under his own surplus places policy.

He had been pictured holding a banner in support of Pentre Primary School in Rhondda, where he is assembly member.

A decision on who will replaced Mr Andrews as education minister has yet to be made.

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In his resignation letter, Mr Andrews told Carwyn Jones, the first minister, that he was a ¡°passionate advocate of my Rhondda constituency¡±.

He added: ¡°I regret that my commitment to my constituents may have led me to an apparent conflict which has led to difficulty to your government.¡±

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In the letter, Mr Andrews also said he was ¡°proud of the steps which we have taken which will strengthen the education system in Wales from schools through to higher education, including¡­the creation of a smaller number of stronger higher education institutions and our new HE policy¡±.

Mr Andrews had pushed through university mergers. Trinity 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ College and the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales Lampeter merged in 2010 to create the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales Trinity Saint David. Swansea Metropolitan 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ is now also merging with the institution.

Meanwhile, the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Glamorgan and the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales, Newport have also merged, although the Welsh government backed off from forcing Cardiff Metropolitan 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ to merge with them after objections from the institution.

In December 2011, Mr Andrews said the latter merger would create ¡°an institution with real critical mass, a strong overseas recruitment driver and with a deeper and stronger research base¡±.

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He said Wales had to choose between a ¡°market route¡± taken by England or a ¡°smaller number of stronger universities¡± that could be brought about through mergers.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com