3. Increasing Recruitment
3.1 Recruitment
3.1.1 There have been commendable and welcome efforts to promote a career in Gaelic medium teaching in Scotland. In this, authorities, universities and Comunn na Gàidhlig have been active. The 'Thig a Theagasg' materials, prepared by Comunn na Gàidhlig, have been distributed and used at Careers Fairs. Authorities and universities have also advertised in the press and prepared recruitment materials.
3.1.2 There is, however, still a need for a more co-ordinated and targeted approach which promotes Gaelic medium teaching as an attractive career choice. This approach would combine the work of schools, universities, community education, local authority efforts and the careers service.
3.1.3 This need could be addressed by the appointment of a Gaelic teacher recruitment officer. This appointment could run, in the first instance, for two years, be located within Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and would co-ordinate the various activities identified in this report. This would include co-ordination of recruitment literature, running conferences on Gaelic education careers, attending careers fairs, school/university visits and advising Careers Scotland.
3.2 Promotion of GM Teaching
3.2.1 In addition to the work that could be undertaken by a dedicated officer, the work of promoting Gaelic teaching could be assisted by other means. There is a role for community leaders and those working in Gaelic organisations to promote Gaelic teaching. In addition, head teachers and guidance teachers, along with careers advisers, have important roles to play in their work with pupils. There is also a role for local authorities to encourage pathways into Gaelic teaching for those staff who may have Gaelic language skills which are not being used.
3.2.2 In schools, work experience could play a role in promoting Gaelic medium teaching as a career choice from an early age in secondary school. Gaelic medium secondary pupils should readily have the opportunity to do their work experience and/or community involvement modules in Gaelic medium primary schools. This early exposure to the educational environment from another perspective is important and other Gaelic sectors should also be engaged to ensure that, if possible, Gaelic school pupils receive a Gaelic medium work experience and to encourage Gaelic staff to establish links with the universities.
3.2.3 Schools, in particular, have a duty to ensure that Gaelic medium pupils have a range of opportunities to consider with regard to careers in Gaelic and Gaelic teaching. In this respect the ethos in schools has to be one that positively promotes the aspirations of Gaelic medium pupils to view careers in Gaelic-related professions as realistic, fulfilling and achievable.
3.2.4 The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 gives Bòrd na Gàidhlig a strategic and advisory role in promoting the use of Gaelic in Scotland. In the National Gaelic Language Plan and the National Gaelic Education Strategy, required by the Act, Bòrd na Gàidhlig should ensure that the supply and training of GME teachers remains a priority.
Recommendations
- A Gaelic teacher recruitment officer should be appointed. This appointment could run, in the first instance, for two years, be located within Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and would co-ordinate many of the activities identified in this report.
- Careers Scotland should be encouraged to develop a focus on Gaelic careers, with a specific focus on promoting Gaelic teaching. This should be emphasised in a guidance letter from Ministers and in any Gaelic language plan which the Careers Service may develop under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act.
- Gaelic medium secondary school pupils should be offered the option of Gaelic-speaking environments as part of their work experience when possible. Local authorities should seek to ensure that young people can do their work experience in Gaelic medium classes.
- The Scottish Executive should promote and advertise Gaelic teaching as an attractive career choice.
- Aberdeen and Strathclyde, and their partner institutions, should ensure that a variety of approaches are used to encourage interest and applications by potential teachers.
- Bòrd na Gàidhlig should ensure that the supply and training of Gaelic medium education teachers remains a priority and features prominently in the National Gaelic Language Plan and the National Gaelic Education Strategy, required by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act.