Dyfodol i’r Iaith welcomes the Government’s aim of  increasing Welsh medium education.  Ensuring that 40% of Wales’ pupils are in Welsh medium education by 2050 will be a huge gain for the language and the people of Wales, says the lobby group.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith warns, however, that the Government needs to deal successfully with local authorities.  Heini Gruffudd, chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, said

“The Government has in the past set targets for the growth of Welsh medium education, but has failed to achieve these.  This is because the Government had failed to win over local authorities, especially in south and east Wales.  The Government now needs to show how it will ensure that local authorities get the support and finance to attain these ambitious targets.

“Some authorities, such as Gwynedd and others in west Wales have made Welsh medium education a priority.  The Government needs to convince local authorties in all parts of Wales that Welsh medium education should be a priority for the next thirty years.  Unless this occurs, the strategy will fail.”