Written Question · S2W-02700 · Session 2
What further progress on developing Gaelic-medium education can be promoted under provisions of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Ac…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what further progress on developing Gaelic-medium education can be promoted under provisions of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000.
The answer
The Standards in Scotland’sSchools etc. Act 2000 requires education authorities to plan for and secureimprovement in school education. It places specific requirements on authoritiesto address Gaelic-medium education in their annual statements of improvementobjectives and annual progress reports. Many authorities have used theimprovement framework established by the 2000 act to embed their policiesaround Gaelic-medium education fully into their wider strategy for schooleducation.
However, I feel that thereis scope for many education authorities to improve further their planning ofGaelic-medium education. We are therefore taking action in three areas:
education authorities will be issued with a clear reminder of their duty to address Gaelic-medium education in their annual statement of improvement objectives and annual progress reports, and our expectation that they will do so.
local authorities will be asked to establish thresholds against which they will assess parental demand for Gaelic-medium within their area.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the Gaelic language development agency) and the Management Review Group of local authorities will be invited to establish a joint sub-group to review the performance measurement against which Gaelic-medium education development is measured.
I am minded to invite Bòrdna Gàidhlig to offer advice to local education authorities on the developmentof Gaelic-medium policies and to give them a role in advising the Executive onthe sufficiency of such policies if that would be seen as helpful and plan toconsult on this issue as part of the consultation process around the proposedGaelic Language Bill.
I take the advancement ofGaelic-medium education very seriously. I will not hesitate to use their powerto issue statutory guidance under the terms of the Standards in Scotland’sSchools etc. Act 2000 if the further development of education authorityimprovement plans in relation to Gaelic-medium demonstrates that is needed.
However, I feel that thereis scope for many education authorities to improve further their planning ofGaelic-medium education. We are therefore taking action in three areas:
education authorities will be issued with a clear reminder of their duty to address Gaelic-medium education in their annual statement of improvement objectives and annual progress reports, and our expectation that they will do so.
local authorities will be asked to establish thresholds against which they will assess parental demand for Gaelic-medium within their area.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the Gaelic language development agency) and the Management Review Group of local authorities will be invited to establish a joint sub-group to review the performance measurement against which Gaelic-medium education development is measured.
I am minded to invite Bòrdna Gàidhlig to offer advice to local education authorities on the developmentof Gaelic-medium policies and to give them a role in advising the Executive onthe sufficiency of such policies if that would be seen as helpful and plan toconsult on this issue as part of the consultation process around the proposedGaelic Language Bill.
I take the advancement ofGaelic-medium education very seriously. I will not hesitate to use their powerto issue statutory guidance under the terms of the Standards in Scotland’sSchools etc. Act 2000 if the further development of education authorityimprovement plans in relation to Gaelic-medium demonstrates that is needed.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-02700 by reference.