Language Activists Demand Two Additional Welsh Medium Schools in Swansea To Meet Surging Demand

The Swansea chapter of RhAG (Parents for Welsh Medium Education) are submitting a demand to the local Council for two additional Welsh Medium schools to meet surging demand.  There are presently 11 Wesh Medium schools in Swansea but in some districts the number of pupils enrolled in Welsh Medium classes has caused over crowding.

The South Wales Evening Post, in an article titled “Campaigners Present Case for Two More Welsh Medium Schools in Swansea”, quote spokesman Heini Gruffudd, Secretary of Swansea RhAG: "Many children in Swansea are being denied the opportunity to learn Welsh and becoming bilingual simply because they live in a 'no-Welsh' ward. Swansea Council has a strong record of developing Welsh medium education over the last ten years, and we're looking forward to seeing the council meeting the demand for Welsh medium education as a top priority."

RhAG is a national organization which represents parents who wish their children to be educated in Welsh throughout the Celtic nation of Wales.  The organization defines itself as follows on their website (linked below):    

RhAG is an association which represents parents throughout Wales. Our group includes both Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers; some of us live in towns, others in the country; some of us were born and brought up in Wales, others have moved here to live. But what unites us all is the conviction that bilingualism is one of the greatest gifts one can give a child, and that the ability to speak Welsh will help children develop confidence in themselves and in their culture.

A child can become bilingual by being immersed in the language at school. Only in Welsh medium schools does this happen.  About 21% of the population of Wales speaks the Welsh language, whilst about 20% of our children are taught in Welsh medium schools. In some schools, there is a high percentage of pupils from non-Welsh speaking backgrounds, and Welsh medium schools have some of the best results in the country

Unfortunately, not everyone in Wales is in reasonable travelling distance of a Welsh medium school, by a long chalk. Research has shown that up to 50% of parents in Wales would be interested in sending their children to Welsh medium schools if they were as accessible as the English medium ones. RhAG works to persuade local education authorities and the Welsh Assembly to respond appropriately to this demand.

RhAG operates in a number of ways to promote Welsh medium education in Wales. The National Committee meets regularly and represents parents on a national basis to government and other bodies. The Committee also draws up policies that reflect the varying nature of different parts of Wales and promotes the advantages of Welsh Medium Education.

http://www.rhag.net/indexs.php

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/campaigners-present-case-for-two...

Swansea is located on the South Central coast. Map showing the proportion of  Welsh speakers in Wales, showing the relatively lower proportions in areas close to the border with the longest history of English settlement and influence.