£200,000 funding for sports bus and accommodation.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is to be a Gaelic hub in the new Centre for
Teaching Excellence, Education Secretary has announced during a visit
to the college.
The Cabinet Secretary met with staff at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the
National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, during a visit
to discuss the aims of the new Centre in providing opportunities
for Gaelic teachers across the country.
Ahead of Gaelic week which gets underway on Monday, Ms Gilruth
met senior leadership, teachers and students, before attending
the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Annual Lecture.
More than £100,000 of funding has been confirmed today to provide
upgrades to accommodation at the college. Separate funding for
Comann na Gàidhlig will also help provide a new minibus to
support participation in Gaelic sports.
Ms Gilruth also visited Broadford Primary to hear first hand from
staff and pupils about the English and Gaelic education it
provides, as well as plans for a new school and community hub at
the site.
The Education Secretary said:
“Sabhal Mór Ostaig is internationally respected as the only
Centre of Higher and Further Education in the world which
provides its learning programmes entirely through the medium of
Gaelic.
“It has been a privilege to meet staff and students at the
college to learn about the work here, including the Gaelic hub
being developed for the Centre for Teaching Excellence
“I was also hugely encouraged to hear about the great work being
undertaken at Broadford Primary and to hear about their exciting
plans for the new school.
“The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of Scotland's
indigenous languages and encourages bodies and communities to
work together to support and promote Gaelic language and
culture.”
Shona Cormack, Head of Teacher Education at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig,
said:
“We are delighted to be working with our colleagues at the
University of Glasgow to establish the Centre and to have Gaelic
Education recognised as a core area in the new Centre's work. We
look forward to working with Gaelic teachers to identify priority
areas for development and to provide access to professional
learning based on the latest research that will positively impact
teaching and learning in Gaelic classrooms across the country.”
Background
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig will work collaboratively on the Centre for
Teaching Excellence with hosts, the University of Glasgow. The
Cabinet Secretary's visit to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Broadford
Primary took place on Thursday 20 February.
The Sabhal Mór Ostaig annual lecture this year was delivered by
Alan Esslemont, Director General of Irish language channel TG4.
The funding announced today comprises:
- £109,657 for in capital funding for the Sabhal Mòr
Ostaig estate, mainly in the student accommodation
- £91,711 for Comann na Gàidhlig to provide a minibus for
Gaelic sports, as well as outdoor equipment.
