Category Archives: Education

DRAFT BUDGET 2020 – 21: DYFODOL’S RESPONSE

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Following the draft Budget, Dyfodol i’r Iaith are calling the Welsh Government to reveal more information regarding expenditure on the Welsh language. The organization specifically wishes to know how the language will take its place within the Government’s various plans, and in particular:

  • Childcare: how will the Government ensure adequate language training for providers?
  • Further education: the same question applies – how will the Government provide adequate language training and support for students who will be staying in Wales and contributing to the local economy?

Heini Gruffudd, the organization’s Chair said:

“Dyfodol i’r Iaith will press for further financial details regarding these matters, since these are the very areas which will provide a firm basis for using the Welsh language within education, the community and the workplace.”

 

DYFODOL CALLS FOR EXPENDITURE ON WELSH FOR PARENTS

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It appears likely that the Welsh Government is set to receive £400 million as a result of the money allocated to education in England. Dyfodol i’r Iaith have asked for a proportion of this money to be set aside to help parents of school age to learn Welsh.

Heini Gruffudd, the organisation’s Chair said:

“We have asked the First Minister, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Minister to allocate £10 million of this money to encourage parents to learn Welsh and for the work to be administered through the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

The money can be spent on Welsh language lessons for parents committed to using the language within their homes. This would be a great boost to children who are learning the language within all schools, Welsh-medium or otherwise, and would be a significant step towards the aim of creating Welsh-language households. We believe that establishing the Welsh language in the home is key to the future success of the language, and that this investment would provide excellent value for the language.”

 

DYFODOL’S EISTEDDFOD

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Thank you to everyone who made this such a memorable Eisteddfod for us: to those who contributed to our presentations and talks, those who provided entertainment or who simply came over for a chat and to discuss our work with us.

PRESENTATIONS

We delivered two presentations from the stage of Pabell y Cymdeithasau, including a timely and positive discussion on the contribution of local government to the strategy of Cymraeg 2050. We believe that it is both practical and necessary for the local authorities in the Welshest areas (Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, as well as Gwynedd) to adopt Welsh as its internal administrative medium. Dyfrig Siencyn from Gwynedd and Peter Hughes-Griffiths from Carmarthenshire discussed the challenge and reality of achieving this, with Gwerfyl Pierce Jones chairing the meeting.

Cynog Dafis and Dr Kathryn Jones of Iaith Cyf. outlined the importance of Language Planning and robust, appropriate management structures if we are to formulate a comprehensive strategy which will produce the right circumstances and goodwill to allow growth for the language. This is the cornerstone of our approach, and we hope that this presentation will provide a basis for further discussion. It was good to note that this was being discussed within the context of positive developments, such as the Welsh Minister’s recent statement that language expertise will be called upon as the next steps are being planned for the regeneration of the language.

DISCUSSIONS

We welcomed a range of experts to share their thoughts and experiences with visitors to our stall. Gareth Pierce discussed education needs; Owen Evans, Chief Executive of S4C, outlined the future of the channel; and Simon Brooks and Wyn Thomas introduced the problems facing the Welsh language in the context of the planning system.

ENTERTAINMENT

Following all the discussion, it was pleasant to relax and enjoy the programme of mid-afternoon entertainment which we’d arranged again this year. Thank you to all the fantastic musicians who brought us such joy during the week!