Welsh language fightback begins

On the same day that the 2011 census revealed a slide in the number of Welsh speakers, Powys has launched its own fightback to revive the language.

New plans to strengthen the delivery of Welsh-medium education in Powys have been approved by the County Council in a bid to increase Welsh-medium pupils as well as improve the Welsh-medium curriculum for secondary and post-16 pupils.

It is seen as a huge victory for the native tongue and it means that earlier plans to create hub schools for post-16 Welsh language education have now been scrapped.

“We wanted to make sure that all learners in Powys have access to the highest-quality provision through the medium of Welsh, and we need to work with schools and our partner organisations to help us deliver this aim,” said Cllr Myfanwy Alexander, Cabinet member for Learning and Leisure.

“Schools are already collaborating as Learning Partnerships (Families of Schools) and we think that the best way of delivering a sustainable, high-quality Welsh-medium curriculum is for schools to work together. Our aim is to have at least one lead provider for Welsh-medium post-16 curriculum within each Partnership.”

It is believed that schools will pool resources under cluster arrangements in a bid to deliver the language to post-16 level at every school and yet cut costs of delivery. It means sixth forms at Caereinion High School and Llanfyllin High School will continue to provide post-16 courses through English and Welsh.

Under the agreement, more than 80% of the school curriculum will be available in both Welsh and English.

National news is widely reporting today that the 2011 census has revealed that Welsh has suffered a dip over the past 10 years.