Wyn Thomas on behalf of Dyfodol i’r Iaith has responded to Carmarthenshire’s Welsh in Education Plan. The main points of our response can be summarised as follows:

Dyfodol i’r Iaith welcomes a coordinated and detailed Strategy which attempts to tackle all aspects of the development of the Welsh language within the county’s education system.

Targets need to be reached through thorough support and monitoring.

The English -medium system which fails to deliver the best education for pupils in Carmarthenshire needs to be targeted in particular.

Above all, the advantages of the Welsh language need to be marketed. There are moral and cultural reasons to learn our indigenous language. But, by now, there is a significant amount of robust educational research which proves that bilingual pupils worldwide develop important skills to levels that are beyond monoglot pupils. Why therefore persist with schools and streams that do not offer these advantages?

Dyfodol i’r Iaith supports the Strategy and hopes that the process of providing the best education for the county’s pupils continues and gains momentum in the near future.

With a new Government elected, Dyfodol i’r Iaith will continue to work to ensure a central position for the Welsh language in all policy areas. As the next chapter unfolds, the organisation be aiming to build upon past successes and ensure new gains for the language.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said, “We look forward to working with the new Government to ensure that priority is given to positive work in favour of the Welsh language.”

There will be an opportunity to hear more and to discuss the organisation’s programme over the next five years at Dyfodol’s next public meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 o’clock on Tuesday May 10th at Tŷ Tawe, Swansea, and a warm welcome is extended to all.

As the results of the Assembly elections on Thursday night and into Friday morning are announced, Dyfodol i’r Iaith will be scrutinising and analysing the opportunities for the Welsh language during the next government. They will also be extending an opportunity to hear their conclusions and contribute to the discussion at a Public Meeting to be held in Swansea next Tuesday. The speakers will be the authors of the organisation’s manifesto, Creating a Future for the Welsh Language, Cynog Dafis and Heini Gruffudd. Emyr Lewis, another member of Dyfodol’s Board will be chairing the meeting.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith have for many months been discussing their manifesto with politicians as they have been preparing for the Assembly elections on May 5th.

Heini Gruffudd commented “This is an excellent opportunity to share and discuss our vision and priorities in the light of the election results. We look forward to a lively meeting, and to establishing our programme for the next five years. This is an important time for the Welsh Language, and we’re hoping for a good turnout to contribute to the discussion.”

The meeting will be held at 7 o’clock on Tuesday May 10th at Tŷ Tawe, Swansea, and a warm welcome is extended to all.