TEACHING WELSH HISTORY: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

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.”

 

 

DRAFT BUDGET 2020 – 21: DYFODOL’S RESPONSE

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.”

 

DYFODOL CALLS FOR EXPENDITURE ON WELSH FOR PARENTS

It appears likely that the Welsh Government is set to receive £400 million as a result of the money allocated to education in England. Dyfodol i’r Iaith have asked for a proportion of this money to be set aside to help parents of school age to learn Welsh.

Heini Gruffudd, the organisation’s Chair said:

“We have asked the First Minister, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Minister to allocate £10 million of this money to encourage parents to learn Welsh and for the work to be administered through the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

The money can be spent on Welsh language lessons for parents committed to using the language within their homes. This would be a great boost to children who are learning the language within all schools, Welsh-medium or otherwise, and would be a significant step towards the aim of creating Welsh-language households. We believe that establishing the Welsh language in the home is key to the future success of the language, and that this investment would provide excellent value for the language.”