Parents across Scotland will be able to ask for a Gaelic school
to be established in their area as part of legislation being
taken forward by the Scottish Government.
Under the plans, local authorities would be required to assess if
the request was practical and affordable. After taking advice,
ministers may direct local authorities to proceed with the
establishment a new Gaelic school if the authority's assessment
considers it to be viable.
Other provisions of the Scottish Languages Bill include:
- introducing educational standards for Gaelic and Scots
- establishing Gaelic and Scots as official languages
- supporting the creation of areas of linguistic significance
in Gaelic communities so that ministers can better target
policies to support the language's growth
- enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for
Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and
Gaelic set out the measures on a
visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary
School). She was joined by Scotland's first Gaelic speaking
national poet, Dr Peter Mackay, who is also known as the Makar.
The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary year of
Gaelic medium education in Scotland.
Ms Forbes said:
“This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic's
continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic
speakers and learners across Scotland. It would boost Gaelic
education provision throughout Scotland and better establish
Gaelic and Scots as national languages.
“Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good
value for money. Gaelic medium schools frequently demonstrate
above average performance with some local authorities showing
better grades across all qualification levels despite costs being
no greater than English medium schools.
“To support the growth of Scotland's indigenous languages, we are
also providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scots and
Gaelic this year.”
Dr Mackay said:
“It's fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium
education over the last 40 years: it's something we should be
very proud of.
"It's vital that there's ongoing support to maintain and develop
Gaelic as a community language in the Highlands and Islands and
to give people all over the country every chance to learn and
speak it – and also to encourage Scots speakers and communities
across Scotland."
Background
Stage 3 of the Scottish Languages Bill is expected to be
considered by MSPs on Tuesday 17 June.
Census
statistics show that 130,161 people in Scotland had some
Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 43,105 people from 2011.
The census shows that 2,444,659 people in Scotland had some Scots
skills in 2022, an increase of 515,215 from 2011.
The latest version of the Scottish Languages Bill is available
online.
