This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Gaelic growing more popular
16/03/2002
Parents are key players in promoting the development of Gaelic in Scottish schools, a national conference on Gaelic-medium education was told today.
Culture Minister Mike Watson - who has responsibility for Gaelic - addressed 150 delegates from across Scotland at an event in Glasgow organised by Comann nam Parant where representatives from teaching organisations in Ireland and Wales also discussed their experiences.
The Minister said:
"The dedication and enthusiasm of the conference delegates here today in working to promote the provision of Gaelic-medium education in Scotland is demonstrated by the increasing numbers of children learning the language in our schools.
"Since 1993 the number of primary schools offering Gaelic-medium education has grown from 45 to 59 and the corresponding number of pupils from 1,080 to 1,859. In pre-school education there are now 403 pupils taught in 36 registered nurseries. Many of these developments have been assisted by Comann nam Parant.
"The supply of teachers for Gaelic-medium education in secondary schools is proving more difficult. This has been identified as an issue in our guidance to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and we have made available an additional £200,000 for further training of Gaelic-speaking teachers to enable them to deliver their subject in the language.
"Teacher numbers are not the only issue. The Executive has also provided funding for curriculum development, especially at S1 and S2 level, for the production of Gaelic educational books and other teaching materials.
"Comann nam Parant has an important part to play in assisting with these and future developments. By bringing parents together to discuss issues, providing support to schools, attracting additional funding and supporting extra-curricular activities, the organisation can help ensure the future of the language in Scotland - an aim to which I, as the Minister responsible, am fully committed."
Other speakers at the conference were Professor Colin Baker of the School of Education of the University of Wales on bilingualism; Jacqueline Ni Fhearghusa, Director of Gaelscoileanna, on Irish-medium schools; Dr Donald John MacLeod, Highland Council, on Gaelic-medium secondary education; Aine Egan (Dublin) and Martin Davies (Cardiff) on the parental experience; and Duncan Ferguson, Rector, Plockton High School, and Jean Nisbet (East Ayrshire Council) on the delivery of Gaelic-medium education.
Comann nam Parant (Parents' Organisation) is a network of some 30 local groups representing the interests of parents whose children are education through the medium of Gaelic. The main aim of the organisation is to promote and support the establishment and maintenance of education through the medium of Gaelic.
The Executive provided funding through Specific Grants for Gaelic Education totalling £2.8 million this financial year. This is part of a £14 million programme of support for the language which includes funding for Gaelic broadcasting and a variety of organisations and projects.