Scots Gaelic Heartland Strengthens - Primary Schools Switch from English to Gaelic Medium Education

Earlier this month it was reported that Gaelic will become the language of instruction at approximately 25% of Primary schools in the Western Isles.  As recently as 1921 census figure shows 75% of the area’s populations were Gaelic speaking.  The Tongue has persisted in spite of the blow dealt by the vicious Education Act of 1872 that forbade the use of Scots Gaelic in the classroom.  This most recent strengthening of Gaelic medium education ensures that the language will continue its recover from the colonialist education polices typified by the 1872 law.

There is growing pressure to make Gaelic the language of education in 100% of the primary schools in the Western Isles.  Many view the latest announcement as a stop gap measure looking toward that objective.

Gaelic medium education in the Western Isles benefits from a £500,000 boost in funding from Edinburgh. The funds will be used improve facilities in schools and strengthen the language.  In announcing that Gaelic will be the medium of education at 25% of primary schools in the Western Isles,  Dr. Alasdair Allan, Scotland’s Language Minister, is quoted in news reports: ““The Scottish Government has been happy to provide the capital support to the project and hopes that other schools will see the benefit from the status that Gaelic can bring. This is a milestone in the delivery of Gaelic primary education in Scotland, which has an important role in developing future generations of speakers.”

Catriona Stewart, Chairman of the Education and Children’s Services Committee of the Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) is quoted in the same news reports: "The Comhairle (Council) remains committed to strengthening Gaelic in the Western Isles and although we realise there is much work to do, there are also some very encouraging signs, not least that 47% of primary pupils are in Gaelic-medium education”

In July of last year the Bòrd na Gàidhlig, an organisation formed under Scotland’s 2005 Language Act, issued its Annual Report for 2013/2014 citing dramatic growth in Scots Gaelic medium education throughout Scotland showing a 6% increase in primary school and a 7% increase in secondary school enrollment.  Quoting from the report:  “The 2011 census results gave us very encouraging evidence that the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland has almost stabilised since the census of 2001.  This is mainly due to the rise in Gaelic-medium education which has seen excellent growth since its inception in 1985. The trend shows that within the next ten years the long term decline of the language could be reversed. “

Image courtesy of geographer-at-large.blogspot.com, Western Isles at upper left in Dark Purple: 

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/western-isles/483239/g...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-31165939