Scots Gaelic Medium Education Strengthens in the Western Isles

The Scottish government have announced an investment of a half million pounds over a two year period to develop infrastructure supporting Scots Gaelic medium education in the Western Isles of the Outer Hebrides. Alasdair Allan, who is Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages, is quoted in an article on the STV News website in making the announcement: "The demand for Gaelic education in the Western Isles continues to grow, as it does in Scotland. There are ambitious plans to use the monies to improve facilities and resources availabe to teachers and pupils over the next two years. The recent census figures published show that our commitment to Gaelic education is paying off and inspiring a new generation of speakers."

The local Council,  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which prior to 1997 was known in English as the "Western Isles Council", is now the only Council in Scotland to recognise only it's Gaelic name .  The Council is geographically contiguous with the Outer Hebrides which is an area that was savaged by the Highland Clearances and it is only in recent times that population levels are reaching those of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

This follows an announcemnet made in October under the auspices of the Bord na Gaidhlig, as reported in the on-line edition of the Scotsman, that new teaching aids would be made availbale to all schools in Scotland explaining and promoting resources available for Gaelic medium education.. The Bord na Gaidhlig is a government agency established in 2006 for the purpose of facilitating the implementaion of the Gaelic Language Act of 2005. One of the aims of the Bord is to strengthen Gaelic Medium educaton throughout Scotland and it is armed with Statutory authority.  

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/247044-western-isles-gaelic-schools-get-500000-of-additional-funding/

http://www.scotsman.com/gaelic/government-looks-to-double-gaelic-learners-1-3141308