Author Archives: Ruth Richards

TEACHING WELSH HISTORY: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith has expressed its disappointment that the Government has rejected one of the recommendations of the the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committe regarding the teaching of Welsh history within the new curriculum.

On behalf of Dyfodol, Wyn Thomas said:

“Dyfodol i’r Iaith regrets the Government’s decision to reject the Committee’s recommendation that all pupils who study history in Wales receive consistent, standard information. A cost-free opportunity to emphasise the importance of the Welsh language to the nation’s history has been lost

“Ensuring an awareness of the language’s importance would, of course, have been a valuable contribution to Government’s aim of ensuring a million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

 

 

THE WELSH LANGUAGE DESERVES BETTER: DYFODOL CALLS FOR BUDGET REVIEW

Reply

Dyfodol i’r Iaith has reacted angrily to the latest budget announcement. It became apparent that the Welsh language will receive no further funding during 2020-21 as indicated in the Welsh Language Minister’s paper. Dyfodol i’r Iaith suggests that this falls far short of the funding levels necessary to reach the Government’s own target of a million Welsh speakers.

Heini Gruffudd, the organisation’s Chair said:

‘Although the Minister’s paper deals with many of the essential action points, the absence of extra funding means that the situation will remain static or deteriorate. The language targets call for careful planning and long-tern investment, but instead of that, it seems that the language remains a peripheral concern which has again been neglected.

The Government will shortly appoint a language expert to lead its language planning programme and we call upon whoever is appointed to undertake an urgent needs assessment, noting the level of funding that will be necessary.

We believe that priority must be given to teaching Welsh in the workplace – particularly in the fields of childcare, education and local government. Then we must have an ambitious programme of community projects to facilitate Welsh-speakers to use their language within their various communities.

We are also concerned that there is no capital funding available for the Welsh language, and priority also needs to be given to the support of Welsh Language Centres, and this will not be possible without capital aid.’

This year, the organisation will be pressing for adequate funding to support a comprehensive programme aimed at planning the regeneration of the language and will be working with the Government to ensure this.

DRAFT BUDGET 2020 – 21: DYFODOL’S RESPONSE

Reply

Following the draft Budget, Dyfodol i’r Iaith are calling the Welsh Government to reveal more information regarding expenditure on the Welsh language. The organization specifically wishes to know how the language will take its place within the Government’s various plans, and in particular:

  • Childcare: how will the Government ensure adequate language training for providers?
  • Further education: the same question applies – how will the Government provide adequate language training and support for students who will be staying in Wales and contributing to the local economy?

Heini Gruffudd, the organization’s Chair said:

“Dyfodol i’r Iaith will press for further financial details regarding these matters, since these are the very areas which will provide a firm basis for using the Welsh language within education, the community and the workplace.”