Category Archives: Education

THE LATEST BLOW? DYFODOL CONDEMS THREAT TO COLEG CYMRAEG CENEDLAETHOL

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Following a series of recent blows to spending on the Welsh language, Dyfodol i’r Iaith have expressed concern over possible threats to funding for the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. This latest threat comes in the wake of the Welsh Government’s latest draft budget.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said, “The Government’s draft budget has clearly shown a lack of respect and priority for the Welsh language. This latest announcement represents yet another threat; this time to a body which has done so much to develop and promote Welsh-medium university education across a range of subject areas.

We are facing a ridiculous situation where Welsh-medium education provision is under threat, yet the Government remains perfectly happy to spend money on supporting Welsh students to study in England.”

We look forward to discussing this matter at further length with the Government and the Higher Education Funding Body.”

 

A REQUEST AN EXPLAINATION FROM THE EDUCATION MINISTER

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith are asking the Education Minister, Huw Lewis, to explain his views on the Government’s Welsh Education Strategy. This follows his response to the Welsh Language Commissioner, Meri Huws, when he stated there was no need to be tied to figures.

Heini Gruffudd,  Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair said  “The Education Minister needs to state clearly his position on his own Government’s Welsh Education Strategy. This Strategy notes specific targets for the growth of Welsh language education, but the Minister doesn’t seem to be concerned by this.”

“We wonder whether the Minister has consulted with the Prime Minister, who is also responsible for the Welsh language on this matter?”

“The Education Minister claims that the new curriculum will change our way of thinking about Welsh education. Does this mean the end of Welsh language schools? In Wales, every attempt to teach Welsh in bilingual classrooms have failed in comparison to Welsh-medium classes. Huw Lewis needs to state his intentions clearly.”

Dyfodol recognises the growth of Welsh-medium education as one of the most important elements in the regeneration of the language, and there is plenty of evidence that parents in Wales also support this aim.

Popeth Cymraeg – An Example for Wales

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As changes to the funding of Welsh for Adults is being established, a network of Welsh learning centres for adults such as those run by Popeth Cymraeg is needed according to Dyfodol i’r Iaith. Popeth Cymraeg has established learning centres in Denbigh, Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay.

“Having a network of centres for socialising and learning Welsh is essential in order to provide opportunities to converse and bring Welsh-speakers, learners and young people together,” says Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair.

He added “Ioan Talfryn and his officers have shown courage and enterprise in establishing their centres. They have won the support of Denbighshire Council and the National Lottery. They provide an excellent model to aspire to across Wales.”

He said, “We very much hope that that the new funding arrangements for Welsh for Adults will continue to provide the same support as before for these centres, providing a pattern for creative collaboration,”

The Welsh Government has promised £1.25 million for the establishment of centres to promote the Welsh language, and plans are already afoot in Carmarthen, Cardiff and Wrexham.

Mr Gruffudd said, “We also hope that that the Welsh Government will be working with Popeth Cymraeg, and with other existing centres, such as Saith Seren in Wrexham, to ensure sensible co-ordination between central government, Welsh for Adults and the individual Welsh language centres.”