Scots Gaelic Education Success - Expansion in Secondary Level Schooling

Success of Scots Gaelic Medium Education - Bòrd na Gàidhlig Lays Plans for Expansion of Secondary Gaelic Medium Schooling – Investment in Gaelic Cultural Centre in Hebrides

Scots Gaelic Grammatical Standards Issued: Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the University of Glasgow announced in March the publication of new grammatical guidance targeting teachers, broadcasters and other Gaelic professionals. Pushing the language into the 21st century, the 27-page document is the first attempt to draft collaborative grammatical guidance for today’s users. Bòrd na Gàidhlig was founded in 2003 and charged in 2006 with supporting the implementation of Scotland’s 2005 Language Act to spur Gaelic Medium Education.  Its Annual Report for 2013/2014 reported a dramatic growth in Gaelic medium education with a 6% increase in primary school and a 7% increase in secondary school enrollment.  The newly published guidance will benefit all people who are working with Gaelic or learning Gaelic by providing a usage guide for modern Scottish Gaelic and sets a foundations for work on a comprehensive grammar of the language. http://www.gaidhlig.scot/news-release-new-grammatical-guidance-for-gaelic/

Bòrd na Gàidhlig Hosts Conference to Plot Future for Scots Gaelic Medium Secondary Education: Bòrd na Gàidhlig hosted a conference to develop a new action plan for Gaelic Medium Education (GME) in Scotland at the Secondary level. The event provided an opportunity to take part in in-depth discussions on shaping the future curriculum and also address the growth in Gaelic learning. Delegates attended the format of workshops and discussion panels. The Conference was opened by Jim Whannel, chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Learning Committee. Jane Renton, Assistant Director, Education Scotland said: “We are pleased to be involved in this important conference. We look forward to discussions on how the senior phase of Gaelic Medium Education can be enhanced to ensure young people benefit from stimulating learning experiences across all aspects of the curriculum and attain as highly as possible.” In 2018, emphasizing the need for Gaelic instruction at the secondary level in an interview with “TES Scotland”, Boyd Robertson the retired principal at the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, stated that teenagers are being “lost to the language”. This in Robertson's view caused by the obstacles to continuing on to Gaelic secondary without interruption. Commenting on the issues raised by inferior capacity at the Secondary level Robertson stated: “It’s very worrying. We are building Gaelic-medium education through primary and the early years of secondary but then they are lost to the language in senior secondary. It is difficult for pupils doing a language to put it in abeyance and then pick it up again in a couple of years.” https://www.transceltic.com/blog/advance-scots-gaelic-education-jump-student-numbers-bodes-well-gaelic-s-future, https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/90477.html

0Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that £2,100,000 worth of funding for two projects in the Western Isles has been awarded as part of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. £1,800,000 has been awarded to the Cnoc Soilleir project for the establishment of a new state-of-the art modern building for Gaelic and cultural heritage in South Uist, including Gaidhlig language, music, dance and education. Cnoc Soilleir is a partnership project between Ceòlas Uibhist and Lews Castle College University of the Highlands and Islands. The building has been designed to become a local focal point for the community and visitors. .https://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/two-western-isles-projects-benefit-from-government-funding-1-4885178