In June 2008, Edinburgh City Council was notified by Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the principal public body promoting and developing Gaelic) of its statutory requirements to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. The Council then produced a draft Plan which was launched to an audience of more than 100 people on 10 November 2009. The public consultation ran from November to January 2010.

In total 349 responses to the consultation were received which is an excellent response. A big thank you again to all parents/families and friends who responded. We wait with interest to see if the Council takes our views on board. The timetable now is as follows:

• 18 May – Children and Families Education Committee – Review of Options
• 8 June – Policy and Strategy Committee
• 11 June – Submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig – if amendments approved

We are pleased to see a number of people involved in discussing the issues with the Council. Arthur Cormack, Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, has met with Jenny Dawe, Leader of Edinburgh City Council. A representative from The Scottish Government was also present at that meeting. The discussion was very much focused on the development of Gaelic medium education in Edinburgh. A letter was written to Jenny Dawe following the meeting.

Arthur Cormack has also met with Alex Wallace, Headteacher at James Gillespies High School, regarding the development of Gaelic language subjects at secondary level. A letter was written to Alex Wallace following the meeting.

You can read both letters here:
letter from Arthur Cormack to Jenny Dawe
letter from Arthur Cormack to Alex Wallace

Interesting view from Arthur Cormack Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chair in the latest issue of Holyrood Magazine:

Where he recognises that there is sufficient demand to open new schools in Edinburgh, Barra and Stornoway, he is also hopeful that Edinburgh will deliver more for Gaelic Medium Education stating that too often these developments come as the result of the huge effort and organisation of parents. Cormack wants to see a legal right to Gaelic Medium Education for any parent who wishes it for their child stating:

“In some cases local authorities have actually asked the parents to almost write the business case and the sustainability and everything else for the school and really, that’s the local authority’s job. A lot of pressure is put on parents at the moment if they want Gaelic education, for them to come up with the plan that shows that the whole thing is sustainable. So I think a legal right would put the onus back on the local authority.”

But in these straitened financial times, can councils really be expected to invest in Gaelic education? Well, after the initial set-up costs and teacher training, Gaelic education becomes mainstream activity and sustainable and in any case, given the value of the language to Scotland’s culture, education and economy, the question for Cormack and our Councils/Parliament is not how can we afford to invest in Gaelic education but how can we afford not to?