Wales/Cymru - Language education plans

The Welsh Assembly Government in Caerdydd/Cardiff has said last week
that it is in the process of developing a strategic approach to creating
a Federal College system for Wales where more students will be able
to learn through the medium of Welsh.

Plaid Cymru Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, who holds the Welsh language
portfolio for the Government, said that the Assembly is also working
on a National Welsh-medium Education Strategy for local authorities
so they can meet the growing demand for Welsh language education.
Both plans were highlighted in the Welsh coalition Government's 'One
Wales' document produced last year, following a deal struck by Plaid
and the Labour Party to share power in Wales.

The public will now have to wait to see how far reaching the Welsh
language education plans are. Earlier this year many people were let
down by the limited funding made available by the Welsh Government,
for the Welsh language daily newspaper 'Y Byd', which finally led
to the collapse of the initiative. The 'One Wales' document had promised
to support the establishment of the first Welsh language daily newspaper,
but the funding package offered was far short of the expected amount
necessary to launch the newspaper.

In case the Welsh Government does not meet the promises set out in
'One Wales' this time, campaigners are still keeping the pressure
up with the creation of an online petition. The petition aims to promote
Welsh language rights at university level and reads:

"Nid ywr sefyllfa bresennol yn gweithio felly maen rhaid i bethau
newid. Maer nifer o fyfyrwyr syn siarad Cymraeg yn cynyddu tu fewn
i brifysgolion Cymru. Felly maen amser i siaradwyr Cymraeg cael yr
un hawliau a cyfleuoedd a phob myfywriwr arall.

The present situation isnt working so things have to change. The number
of Welsh Speaking Students within universities within Wales is increasing.
Welsh Speakers should have equal rights and opportunities to every
other student"

The petition can be signed by following the link http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/cefnogi-hawliau-cyfartal---supporting-equal-rights
and is aiming for 1000 signatures.

The Celtic League hopes that the Welsh Government will make provision
for new educational language rights for Welsh speakers at university
in their plans, so that the petition is not needed.

(Article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

07/05/08


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

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