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£1.5 Millean Do Sgoiltean Gàidhlig Ann An Roinn Na Gàidhealtachd
25/08/2009
Bidh barrachd àiteachan ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba mar thoradh air airgead-tasgaidh bho Mhaoin Calpa nan Sgoiltean Gàidhlig.
Nuair a thadhail e sa bhun-sgoil Gàidhlig an Inbhir Nis, dh'fhoillsich Ministear na Gàidhlig Mìcheal Russell gum faigh Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd maoineachadh £1.5 millean gus cur ri solarachadh foghlaim san sgìre.
A dh'aithghearr bidh Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a' comharrachadh làraich fhreagarrach airson sgoiltean làn-Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh ann am Port Rìgh agus sa Ghearastan. Bheir am maoineachadh seo cothrom don Chomhairle na pròiseactan sin a luathachadh.
Thuirt Mìcheal Russell:
"Nas tràithe air a' mhìos seo, chuir mi fhìn agus Rùnaire a' Chaibineit airson Foghlaim agus Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha romhainn gum feumadh sinn gluasad gun dàil gus linn ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig a chruthachadh. Iarraidh seo ath-chuimseachadh air oidhirpean agus dealas bhon h-uile pàrtaidh, agus mar sin tha mi a' cur fàilte air gealladh Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd airson solarachadh foghlaim tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a mheudachadh.
"Gus linn ùr de luchd-labhairt a chruthachadh, tha e deatamach gun tèid cur an seilbh ann an solarachadh foghlaim Gàidhlig. Tha Comhairlean air feadh Alba air meudachadh mòr fhaicinn a thaobh iarrtais airson àiteachan ann am foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus feumaidh iad maoineachadh airson an cuideachadh a' coinneachadh ris an iarrtas sin. Tha sinn a' dèanamh cinnteach gum faod pàrantan agus sgoilearan fhathast foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a thaghadh agus fios a bhith aca gum bi àite ann dhaibh."
Thuirt an Comhairliche Hamish Friseal, Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd:
"Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air leth toilichte le gealladh Riaghaltas na h-Alba a bhith a' cruthachadh linn ùr de luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig. Tha fàilte bhlàth an seo, sa Ghearastan agus san Eilean Sgitheanach, ron mhaoineachadh a bharrachd a luathaicheas an t-ullachadh airson an dà bhun-sgoil Ghàidhlig seo."
Dh'fhoillsich am Prìomh Mhinistear stèidheachadh na Maoine - £1.35 millean gach bliadhna ann an 2009-10 agus 2010-11 - aig a' Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail san Dàmhair, agus meudachadh £800,000 air Maoin na bliadhna seo gu £2.15 millean nuair a thadhail e sa cholaiste Ghàidhlig, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, nas tràithe air a' mhìos seo.
Aig an àm seo tha 60 sgoiltean le aonadan foghlaim tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus sgoiltean làn-Ghàidhlig ann an Glaschu, san Eilean Sgitheanach agus an Inbhir Nis. Tha an àireamh de sgoilearan sna h-aonadan sin air sìor fhàs gu sònraichte ann an Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòid, Dùn Èideann, Glaschu agus Roinn na Gàidhealtachd. Bheir maoineachadh bho Mhaoin Calpa nan Sgoiltean Gàidhlig aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba cothrom air tuilleadh leudachaidh far am bi iarrtas.
Mar a chaidh aithris air an t-seachdain a dh'fhalbh, tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd an dùil co-chomhairle a chumail air Bun-sgoil Stafainn a dhèanamh na sgoil Ghàidhlig às dèidh tagraidh bho phàrantan.
English version
There will be more places in Gaelic-medium education across Scotland thanks to investment from the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund.
During a visit to the Gaelic primary school in Inverness, Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell announced that Highland Council will benefit from an allocation of £1.5 million to increase provision in its area.
Highland Council will shortly be identifying suitable sites for the establishment of full-Gaelic schools in Portree and Fort William. This funding will allow the Council to accelerate progress on these projects.
Michael Russell said:
"Earlier this month, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and I committed to taking urgent and necessary action to create a new generation of Gaelic speakers. This requires a refocusing of efforts and commitment from all parties, so I welcome the commitment made by Highland Council to increasing its provision of Gaelic-medium education.
"To create a new generation of speakers, investing in Gaelic education provision is an absolute must. Councils across Scotland have seen a huge increase in demand for Gaelic-medium places so today's allocations are vital in helping them meet that demand. We are ensuring parents and children will be able to continue to make the choice of Gaelic-medium education in the knowledge that there will be a place available."
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic Committee, said:
"The Highland Council warmly welcomes the Scottish Government's commitment to the creation a new generation of Gaelic speakers. We are delighted to receive this additional funding, which will allow us to accelerate the preparation for the building of these two new Gaelic primary schools, which are keenly awaited in Fort William and Skye."
The First Minister announced establishment of the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund - £1.35 million per annum in 2009-10 and 2010-11 - at the Royal National Mòd last October, and an 800,000 pounds increase of this year's Fund to £2.15 million while visiting the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig earlier this month.
There are currently 60 schools with units providing Gaelic-medium education and full-Gaelic schools in Glasgow, Skye and Inverness. There has been sustained growth in the number of pupils in these units particularly in Argyll and Bute, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland. Allocations from the Scottish Government's Gaelic Schools Capital Fund will allow further expansion where demand exists.
As reported last week, Highland Council is planning to consult on making Staffin Primary School a Gaelic school as a result of representation from parents.