Gaelic education report welcomed

A report on Gaelic Medium Early years education published by the Scottish Government is being welcomed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the main organisation leading Gaelic development.

Research was undertaken to establish existing provision, identify gaps and what development is needed in Gaelic medium early years education.

The report found that there were 127 providers of Gaelic-medium early years education or childcare, mostly in Highland and the Western Isles and that the vast majority of children attending Gaelic medium provision come from English-speaking homes.

The study highlighted a number of challenges that face Gaelic medium early years education such as recruiting staff who are fluent Gaelic speakers and trained early years practitioners and also a limited supply of Gaelic medium preschool resources.

“Gaelic medium”

Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, said:

“We welcome this very helpful report and we are grateful to the researchers for their efforts. The Bòrd’s new Action Plan includes a commitment to develop an early years initiative and this report is a useful contribution to this important work. We look forward to working with the Bòrd on the new initiative.”

Arthur Cormack, Cathraiche (Chairman) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig stated:

“We welcome this research on Gaelic medium early years education which will help us to fulfil the commitments we have in our action plan, Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig, to develop early years education. This study indentifies the gaps and challenges and provides us with recommendations on how we can develop current provision.”

“The report recommended the need to grow the market for Gaelic medium provision through a national promotion strategy and ensure good access to information about local Gaelic medium provision and we will look at ways on how this can be achieved.”

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