Gaelic education is a significant Scottish success story and is a major focus of the work of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which under the terms of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, has responsibility for the promotion of the Gaelic language, education and culture throughout Scotland. With a dedicated Education Manager, Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Officer and National Gaelic Education Strategy, the Bòrd is committed to encouraging more people to teach Gaelic and to encourage the young and not so young to learn the language.
The demand for Gaelic Medium Education (GME) increased after the opening of the first Gaelic Medium classes at Sir John Maxwell Primary School in Glasgow and Central Primary in Inverness back in 1985. Local authorities in Scotland continue to record an increase in the number of pupils accessing Gaelic Medium Education across the sectors. There are currently 718 children registered for Gaelic pre-school education. Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich (CNSA) provide Croileagan (playgroup) and early years’ Gaelic provision, but while this organisation has indicated that it has 108 registered groups across Scotland, we do not have definitive statistics on the number of children in these groups.
There are 2,161 pupils currently accessing Gaelic Medium primary education. The number of pupils studying Gaelic (Fluent Speakers) at secondary level, has increased to 968. However, while the 322 pupils studying other subjects through the medium of Gaelic is an actual increase, there lies a large challenge ahead to ensure that all Gaelic Medium secondary pupils have the opportunity to study a range of subjects in Gaelic. The figures for Gaelic Learners Education (GLE) continue to grow, with 2,733 pupils recorded as studying Gaelic learners’ courses in secondary schools across Scotland.
Pre-school Education
Gaelic Medium Pre-school Education is usually available in council-run facilities within or linked to the associated school offering G.M.E. In many instances Gaelic early years provision is provided by the voluntary sector and usually comprises Pàrant agus Paiste – parent & toddler groups and Cròileagan playgroups supported by Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich (CNSA), the national body responsible for these groups.
Primary Education
As previously stated, both Glasgow and Inverness have dedicated Gaelic schools but in all other areas the Gaelic teaching is carried out within Gaelic departments of English medium schools.
Gaelic Medium teaching at this level ultimately aims to ensure that children leave primary school with equal levels of fluency in Gaelic and English. This is achieved via the use of Gaelic for all communication in every subject – a total immersion method during P1 and P2. In P3, English reading and writing are introduced, but Gaelic remains the principal language of instruction and of the classroom.
Secondary Education
A shortage of qualified teachers is partly responsible for the slower rate of growth of GME at secondary level, an issue which is now being tackled via a range of new initiatives. However, pupils can currently study Gaelic for fluent speakers, or take other secondary subjects through the medium of Gaelic. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) offers Gaelic language examinations in subjects including maths, geography, modern studies and history.
Government Funding
The Scottish Government has invested in a Gaelic Learners in the Primary School (GLPS) initiative to provide primary pupils from schools the length and breadth of Scotland with some basic Gaelic language instruction. Accurate statistics, are as yet, not available to quantify the number of pupils accessing GLPS, however, it is estimated that approximately 6,000 pupils are being taught through GLPS.
The Scheme of Specific Grants for Gaelic has been critical to the expansion and development of GME and GLE over the last twenty years and it has also facilitated the production of appropriate curriculum resources through Stòrlann, the National Gaelic Resource Centre. Bòrd na Gàidhlig commends Scottish Government for its decision to retain ring fencing of this important grant scheme for the foreseeable future thus ensuring that the Bòrd can liaise with local education authorities to continue to expand Gaelic education and ensure that teaching resources support this expansion.
The Scottish Government has also provided funding for Bòrd na Gàidhlig to facilitate the establishment of a Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Officer (GRO) to address the acute shortage of Gaelic teachers. The GRO liaises with schools, colleges and universities, careers agencies and guidance staff to raise awareness of Gaelic teaching opportunities and associated education career options. Close liaison with the Gaelic providing Teacher Education Institutions is also a major feature of the GRO’s work. In August 2008, five primary and five secondary probationer teachers will enter the profession. Early indications are that 18 primary students have been accepted for the Strathclyde / UHIMI Gaelic PGDE training route however, no details are available for secondary at present.
Now that dedicated all-Gaelic schools are successfully established in Glasgow and Inverness, the door is open for other local authorities to follow suit. As new teaching routes are established and developed, it’s the ideal time to discover how you could help educate the next generation of Gaelic speakers, helping to preserve a unique Scottish language and culture.
Table 1.1 – Local Authority figures for registered Gaelic pre-school education
Table 1.2 – Local Authority figures for GME primary
Table 1.3 – Local Authority figures for Gàidhlig secondary provision
Table 1.4 – Local Authority figures for GME secondary provision
Table 1.5 - Local Authority figures for Gaelic Learners Education Secondary Provision
Table 1.6 - Local Authority figures for Gaelic Teachers in Scotland