We had an encouraging and constructive meeting this week with Jeremy Miles, Chair of the Cross Party Group on the Welsh Language.

The theme of the discussion was Welsh education – a key element in ensuring the success of the Welsh Language Strategy, and an urgent priority in planning towards its progress. This was our main message, along with pressing for an improvement in the quality and commitment of local education authorities’ Strategic Welsh Language Schemes, and ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to the aim of creating a million Welsh speakers. It was emphasised that concentrating on creating Welsh schools, and moving towards changing the medium of schools to Welsh would yield the best results in terms of creating Welsh speakers for the future.

Consistent with Dyfodol’s core vision, it was also emphasised that any planning has to take place within the context of widespread promotion the Welsh language. In relation to education, this context would include raising awareness of the advantages of the Welsh language and the importance of ensuring a sufficient workforce of qualified and committed teachers.

We now look forward to discussing the needs in terms of education later this month with the Education Secretary and the Welsh Language Minister.