This year’s Scottish Education Awards will see the inclusion of a Gaelic award for the first time. The Gaelic Language and Culture in Learning Award recognises schools and pre-‐ schools who provide opportunities for all children to develop awareness of Gaelic language and culture. The award is sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig who are encouraging all schools to enter. Nominations for the award are currently open and will close at the beginning of March. A special award ceremony will take place on Tuesday the 12th of June at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow for those who are shortlisted for an award. More information about the awards can be found on Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s website at www.gaidhlig.org.uk.
The announcement of a Gaelic award closely follows the Bòrd’s winter campaign, 2011/2012, a national push to promote the proven benefits of bilingualism and encourage parents to enrol their children in Gaelic education. Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Head of Education and Learning, Mary MacMillan said: “We at Bòrd na Gàidhlig are very happy to support this award at a time when Gaelic education is expanding and would very much encourage all schools to enter. Scotland’s second National Gaelic Language Plan aims to increase the number of children going through Gaelic-‐medium education from 400 to 800, aims and promotion of Gaelic education through such events as the Education Awards will help us to achieve this aim. We congratulate the event’s organisers’ willingness to work with us to include Gaelic in the awards.
The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, Dr Alasdair Allan added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for schools across the country to promote themselves as leaders in Gaelic learning and I’d urge as many as possible to get involved.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to a vibrant and sustainable future for Gaelic and our schools are a fundamental part of making it happen.”
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