Category Archives: Education

Dydodol i’r Iaith’s Response to the Donaldson Report

Reply

Dyfodol i’r Iaith are firmly of the opinion  that an expansive vision is required in relation to the Welsh language’s place within the education system and  in Welsh life. In response to Professor Graham Donaldson’s report, we would welcome some aspects, specifically:

  • That the report recongnises the contribution of Welsh schools
  • The emphasis placed upon communication and compulsory Welsh lessons to the age of16.

However, we also feel that many oppotunities have been missed, and we would note:

  • That there is no vision regarding the role of Welsh education in buliding a bilingual nation
  • There is no recognition of the need to expand  Welsh education on a large scale
  • No reference is made to the education system’s past contrubution to the destruction of the language  and its curent responsibility towards its restoration

Dyfodol yr Iaith look forward to discussing the report with the Government with the aim of making the expansion of Welsh education a priority.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair said, “A review of education in Wales provides a golden opportunity  for the Government to promote the growth of Welsh education.”

“The Donaldson reprort wishes to see Welsh schools supporting English schools, but Welsh schools are already under considerable pressure with the significant work of introducing the Welsh language to a new generation of students.”

“What is required in the first place is a response to the need for Welsh education , and the number of Welsh schools has to be doubled if we are to come close to achieveing this.”

“ Generally speaking, the reorganisation of education needs to be an integral part of the Government’s vision of creating a bilingual  nation, and as far as I can see, the report in its current form does not come close to achieveing this.”

Five Aims Acheived

Reply

Five important steps have been taken to promote the Welsh language this year, according to Dyfodol i’r Iaith, the Welsh language lobby group.  Dyfodol i’r Iaith has held discussions in many fields, and this is starting to bear fruit, according to the Chair, Heini Gruffudd.

The five successes are:

  • Establishing  a National Entity for Welsh for Adults
  • Plans to establish four Welsh Centres in four towns in Wales
  • The possibility of two Welsh medium radio channels
  • Care Council for Wales’ resource  on using Welsh in social care
  • Carmarthenshire’s education policy, as part of a far reaching language policy for the county.

Heini Gruffudd, Chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, said “We have had a positive response from politicians and by many committees and bodies during the year, and it’s good to see that many of our suggestions are now being accepted.”

“All of the five steps involve extending the use of spoken Welsh and creating fair condition for acquiring new Welsh speakers.”

“It is crucial that those responsible for putting the five steps into practice do so effectively and with conviction, so that good operating models are established.”

During the next month we will concentrate on ensuring that Welsh is given proper recognition by the Planning Bill which is under consideration by the Government.”

White Paper on Additional Learning Needs

Reply

White Paper on Additional Learning Needs     In responding to the Welsh Government’s White Paper on Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Dyfodol i’r Iaith has expressed extreme disappointment that there is hardly any mention of the Welsh language in the document. Dyfodol  has offered many concrete suggestions as to how the Welsh language could be included in the ALN Bill in order to ensure that children and young people get the support that they need. Dyfodol’s suggestions include:

  • Including a clause on the face of the Bill ensuring the right for a child/young person to have support in Welsh
  • Including a clause in the Individual Development Plan (IDP) outlining in which language support should be provided
  • Including a clause in the Bill imposing a duty on local authorities, health boards and further education institutions to co-operate and share information in Welsh when that is required.
  • Including mandatory requirements in the Code of Practice regarding the Welsh Language including:
    • The right of children/young people and families to discuss the IDP in Welsh at any time in the process (preparing, review etc)
    • The right to to specialist support in Welsh (0-25) and ensuring linguistic progression and transition
    • The right to make and hear an appeal in Welsh (in local processes and Tribunal)
    • Provision regarding the Welsh language in relation to multi-agency working
    • Provision for workforce development to ensure an adequate supply of specialist staff who speak Welsh.
    • Independent advocacy in Welsh

Dyfodol i’r Iaith also recommends that the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol works with the Welsh Government to identfy where there is a shortage of skilled staff able to work in the ALN field in Welsh and to provide appropriate training courses in these fields. Estyn should also have the power to inspect how local authorities provide support in Welsh for children and young people with ALN and report on any failures to provide support. Ymateb Papur Gwyn Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol (Welsh only)