Category Archives: Education

Popeth Cymraeg – An Example for Wales

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As changes to the funding of Welsh for Adults is being established, a network of Welsh learning centres for adults such as those run by Popeth Cymraeg is needed according to Dyfodol i’r Iaith. Popeth Cymraeg has established learning centres in Denbigh, Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay.

“Having a network of centres for socialising and learning Welsh is essential in order to provide opportunities to converse and bring Welsh-speakers, learners and young people together,” says Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair.

He added “Ioan Talfryn and his officers have shown courage and enterprise in establishing their centres. They have won the support of Denbighshire Council and the National Lottery. They provide an excellent model to aspire to across Wales.”

He said, “We very much hope that that the new funding arrangements for Welsh for Adults will continue to provide the same support as before for these centres, providing a pattern for creative collaboration,”

The Welsh Government has promised £1.25 million for the establishment of centres to promote the Welsh language, and plans are already afoot in Carmarthen, Cardiff and Wrexham.

Mr Gruffudd said, “We also hope that that the Welsh Government will be working with Popeth Cymraeg, and with other existing centres, such as Saith Seren in Wrexham, to ensure sensible co-ordination between central government, Welsh for Adults and the individual Welsh language centres.”

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

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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

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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.”