An end to Welsh as a Second Language: investment needed on an unprecedented scale
Sep 11, 2019
RhAG has welcomed today's announcement by Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, that Welsh as a second language will cease to exist, but calls for a complete overhaul of the current system of funding for teacher training through the medium of Welsh.
RhAG has welcomed today's announcement by Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, that Welsh as a second language will cease to exist, but calls for a complete overhaul of the current system of funding for teacher training through the medium of Welsh.
Wyn Williams, National Chair of RhAG said,
"The Minister's announcement is significant, but the reality is that a significant injection of funding is required to train the teachers and the wider workforce needed to realise this policy.
"There is currently no co-ordinated plan to train new teachers. A long-term strategy is urgently needed, which will outline an action plan and set short and medium term targets to produce the necessary workforce. A detailed strategy for introducing the changes in individual schools is also needed.
"Furthermore, it must be ensured that this development will not in any way seek to undermine Welsh-medium schools - the only recognised model that succeeds in giving two languages equally to all. Bilingualism is the result we seek: it is Welsh-medium schools that offer the best conditions to achieve that. We must reach a position where we have a sufficient number of teachers equipped to teach Welsh as a subject as well as other subjects through the medium of Welsh.
"So we are calling on the Government to invest on an unprecedented scale, in order to realise this vision."