Members of the Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee have had the opportunity to give their views on the Council’s draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, which sets out how it aims to increase the use of the Welsh language across the borough through education.
The Committee is a statutory consultee in the consultation currently running until the New Year. The Committee supported the draft plan at its meeting on Tuesday, 30th November 2021.
Anyone is able to comment on the plan, which is running online until January 3rd. More information here – https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/council/policies-plans-strategies/welsh-in-education-strategic-plan-2022-32-consultation/
Schools; governing bodies; the Welsh Education Forum, neighbouring local authorities, further education institutions, the Welsh Language Commissioner, Estyn and early years’ teams are also being consulted.
The Plan’s overarching aim is to work with a range of partners to create a ‘Blaenau Gwent community who embrace the Welsh language and culture with confidence and pride.’
The Plan, which will run from September 2022 to September 2032 is currently in draft form, and the consultation will help to inform the final plan which will be sent to the Welsh Government for final approval.
The Council remains fully supportive of the Welsh Government’s ambitions for the Welsh language and its national strategy ‘Cymraeg 2050: a million Welsh speakers.’
Councillor Joanne Collins. The Council’s Executive Member for Education said:
“This is an exciting time for the Welsh language in Blaenau Gwent. We are committed and have the opportunity to further enhance our education system, and are in a strong position to facilitate continued growth and development of both Welsh language and education, in working towards Cymraeg 2050.
“We have a clear vision, aim and goals which are ambitious and will secure the standards of provision which our learners and families deserve. We also have a very strong partnership in the Welsh Education Forum, along with neighbouring authorities. Working together we can and will build upon the successes of the Blaenau Gwent Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2017-20.
“I’m pleased that the Scrutiny Committee have today supported the vision for growth of the Welsh language in our borough.”