Next, the Senedd passed a groundbreaking Government bill to improve Welsh language education in all maintained schools. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford called the legislation “historic.” He called attention to its vital importance in revolutionizing American language education. This important story of inclusion is just one piece of a larger initiative. Its vision is that all children in Wales should have the ability to learn, use and enjoy the Welsh language.
Their new law reclassifies schools into three separate language models. These include “primarily Welsh language,” which requires a minimum of 80% Welsh instruction, “dual language,” with a balanced 50% for both languages, and “primarily English language, partly Welsh,” consisting of at least 10% Welsh. We want to provide high quality immersive Welsh language education in clear cut categories. We want to increase climate literacy for people of all ages.
This bill implements safeguards that we really haven’t had since the creation of the Senedd,” said Drakeford. He noted that it builds on the excellent work already being done throughout Wales, thereby laying a strong foundation for future generations. At present, only around 23% of students are educated through the medium of Welsh. The government aims to increase this figure to 30% by the academic year 2030-31 and to 40% by 2050.
In his speech, Drakeford sounded the call for better, more proactive methods for encouraging Welsh language education. He continued, “From the investment that’s gone into teaching Welsh in English-medium schools we don’t necessarily receive value. The bill requires local education authorities to establish targets and provide plans and programs that will help schools improve Welsh language teaching.
Drakeford went emotive in underscoring what an important concept parental choice is and should be to education. He concluded, “I want to encourage more parents to education in the medium of the Welsh language, but ultimately it’s the parents’ and child’s decision.”
Despite that broad support from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, some groups have criticized the bill as falling short in effectiveness. Campaigners from Cymdeithas yr Iaith, the Welsh Language Society, said they were dismayed. They feel that there is not enough determination to really take Welsh-medium education all the way for everybody. They made it clear that the vision needs to be Welsh-medium education for all. They voiced their concern that lawmakers have not moved in this direction yet.
Meirion Prys Jones, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said the fight to get more Welsh-medium education was not yet over. He noted that in the last decade no progress has been made in terms of the percentage of learners of all ages educated through the medium of Welsh. This stagnation is troubling. Prys Jones stressed the need for a clearer strategy to drive progress toward achieving the target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
In the context of these debates, Drakeford had confirmed on multiple occasions the administration’s intent to not only make deep changes in Welsh education. He claimed that this legislation will expand opportunities for all children. By the time they leave their mandated schooling, they will have the opportunity to be free, confident and assured Welsh speakers. He thinks that it will expand opportunities for students and prepare them for new careers. Beyond all of that, it will deepen their interaction with the culture that accompanies Welsh language speakers.
The legislation had initially been foreshadowed in a joint agreement released between Labour and Plaid Cymru. This partnership serves as a model of bipartisan commitment to making Welsh language education more widely available. Tom Giffard, representing a supportive faction within the Senedd, acknowledged his party’s backing of these objectives while recognizing the importance of continued dialogue about the bill’s implementation.
