The increase in the number of pupils attending Welsh language medium schools over the first years of this century suggests that the language will continue to grow as a medium of education in Wales, according to recent figures.

The figures published by Schools in Wales, shows that the number of pupils attending Welsh medium education has grown steadily in both Welsh medium primary and secondary schools over an eight year period, even though the overall number of pupils attending schools has declined.

The figures would suggest that the future of the Welsh language in education is fairly secure, but occasionally opposition to the growth of the language in Wales is unfortunately seen. This is especially the case when the status of an English language medium language school is planned to be changed to that of a Welsh language medium environment.

It has been interesting to note that there are recent plans in the largely English speaking area of Penmaenmawr in Conwy to change the status of Ysgol Pencae (Pencae Scool) into a predominately Welsh language school. Conwy County Council, the local authority who administer the voluntary controlled school along with the Church of Wales, said that even though Ysgol Pencae is currently a dual stream (Welsh and English), admitted in June that due to the high number of pupils who choose to access the curriculum through the medium of Welsh, they would have to consider whether there was a need for a change of status for the school. A spokeswoman for the Council said:

"Parents had already indicated that only a few would be choosing to access the curriculum through the medium of English when they leave this year's reception class.

"Following this information, and taking previous trends into consideration, the governors of the school have requested further information and advice from the local authority as to options available to them regarding the school's status."

Some parents have been unhappy with the proposed change and have set up a petition because they believe the move would be disruptive and divisive for the area, even though evidence shows that there is little disruption in a student's education if the status of a school changes.

Admittedly, the move between language medium status also occurs the other way around (from Welsh to English), but with the growth of Welsh language medium education this trend is likely to happen less often.

The Celtic League believes that the change of status between English medium to Welsh medium language schools in Wales is part of the normalisation process of the Welsh language and should be supported at every opportunity.

The figures for the growth of Welsh language medium schools can be found below:

Primary Schools School year Total pupils WM pupils WM as % % inc 2000/2001 262,751 49,422 18.81% 2001/2002 260,151 49,687 19.10% +0.29% 2002/2003 256,690 50,756 19.77% +0.67% 2003/2004 252,230 51,131 20.27% +0.50% 2004/2005 248,328 52,792 21.26% +0.99% 2005/2006 243,982 52,867 21.67% +0.41% 2006/2007 240,621 54,099 22.48% +0.81% 2007/2008 237,917 54,895 23.07% +0.59%

Information taken from Schools in Wales [1] Secondary Schools School year Total pupils WM pupils WM as % % inc 2000/2001 210,396 38,007 18.06% 2001/2002 212,024 38,817 18.31% +0.24% 2002/2003 214,276 39,458 18.41% +0.11% 2003/2004 215,609 40,169 18.63% +0.22% 2004/2005 214,626 40,221 18.74% +0.11% 2005/2006 213,045 40,828 19.16% +0.42% 2006/2007 210,353 40,702 19.35% +0.19% 2007/2008 206,936 40,756 19.69% +0.35%

Information taken from Schools in Wales [2]

(Article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

24/07/09

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