Scottish First Minister Commits to the Future of Gaelic Medium Education

“We want all of Scotland’s children to have the best start in life. That includes providing opportunities for children to learn and improve Gaelic in their early years. Our support for Gaelic medium education is encouraging and enabling more children to learn the language and has helped to slow the decline in our population of Gaelic speakers. I am determined to do all I can to support the future of the language in Scotland" - Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland’s First Minister has committed the Scottish government to the future of Gaelic medium education at Scotland’s National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. The First Minister delivered the annual Sabhal Mòr Ostaig lecture after officially opening the first Phase of the “Kilbeg Village Development”, an ambitious plan with residential and retail space including a hotel. The Kilbeg Village scheme will provide a multi layered Gaelic language community and academic centre which will help to ensure the long term health of the Celtic tongue.    

In her remarks, First Minister Nicloa Sturgean also committed government funding for organizations providing Gaelic medium educational opportunities for preschool and elementary age children.  Sturgeon is quoted on the website of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig as follows:  “What we are trying to do now is to ensure that our education legislation and schools system help rather than hinder the development of Gaelic.  So we are adopting a proportionate and practical approach which will help to secure the future of Scots Gaelic.”.  

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College, is located on the Isle of Skye off Scotland’s west coast. Founded in 1973, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has become internationally recognised as a National Centre for the Gaelic language and culture.  The College is an academic partner within the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and provides high quality education and research opportunities through the medium of Scottish Gaelic.

Supporting the college is the “Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Development Trust” which is a United Kingdom independent registered charitable trust and actively seeks support from the international Celtic community.  The SMO trust will in all circumstances arrange to ensure the most beneficial taxation treatment of financial donations and offers donors from the Unites States a registered 501C3 conduit to ensure the most beneficial treatment of donors.

http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/support-for-gaeli...

http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/en/

http://www.transceltic.com/scottish/sabhal-mor-ostaig-scotlands-gaelic-c...