Gaelic Medium Education
The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 specifies that "school education" includes "the teaching of Gaelic in Gaelic-speaking areas", and that local authorities should have regard to the principle that "pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents"
Specific Grants Regulations established a grants scheme in 1986 to assist with the teaching of the Gaelic language or the teaching in that language of other subjects. Government provides 75% grant funding and local education authorities are expected to top-up the grant with 25% of their Grant-Aided Expenditure. The Scheme of Specific Grants for Gaelic has been critical to the expansion and development of GME and Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) over the last twenty years and it has also facilitated the production of appropriate curriculum resources through Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, the National Gaelic Resource Centre.
The Standards in Scotland's Schools etc. Act 2000 states that there is a duty on all education authorities in Scotland to publish an annual statement of improvement objectives which must include an account of the ways in which they will provide GME or the circumstances in which it will be supported. Gaelic is also listed as a national priority in the Education (National Priorities)(Scotland) Order 2000.
The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 enables Bòrd na Gàidhlig to offer advice or to issue guidance in relation to Gaelic education; the Bòrd has set out a National Gaelic Education Strategy within its National Plan for Gaelic; and the Bòrd is able to request the development of Gaelic language plans by individual public authorities, including education authorities.
Stòrlann produces Gaelic books and other learning and teaching materials for pre-school, primary and secondary education. Bòrd na Gàidhlig provides additional financial resources to Stòrlann to expand the range and quality of resources available to Gaelic schools.
Three local authorities have developed statutory five-year Gaelic Language Plans which set out how those local authorities will support the development of Gaelic education. The Highland Council has given a commitment to establish two new dedicated Gaelic schools during the lifetime of its plan. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles) has indicated its intention to introduce a policy of Gaelic Medium Education, in line with the National Gaelic Education Strategy, as mainstream primary provision. It has also undertaken to plan for the expansion of GME as a significant part of secondary provision.
Six further bodies are in the process of developing Gaelic Language Plans. Five of these bodies are key education bodies: Scottish Funding Council, University of the Highland and Islands Millennium Institute, Learning and Teaching Scotland, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, Scottish Qualifications Authority, City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council are also developing Gaelic plans.
Statistics (2008)
• 718 children registered for Gaelic pre-school education.
• 2,164 pupils currently accessing GM primary education.
• 968 pupils studying Gàidhlig (fluent speakers) in secondary schools.
• 322 pupils studying other subjects through the medium of Gaelic in secondary.
• 2,733 pupils studying Gaelic learners' courses in secondary schools.
• Approximately 6,000 beginners being taught Gaelic Language in the Primary School.
The National Plan for Gaelic contains a National Gaelic Education Strategy. Bòrd na Gàidhlig has convened a National Gaelic Education Steering Group, which among other things, is addressing teacher recruitment and supply, the development of a core curriculum for secondary GME and increasing the range of subjects and national qualifications available in GME at all levels.
A number of important steps have been taken to extend and strengthen Gaelic-medium education. Gaelic is available at all levels of education with much improved resources and materials. In addition to core education funding, we provide significant additional resources to local authorities to assist them with the delivery of Gaelic education and support for teachers and pupils (through the Scheme of Specific Grants for Gaelic Education).
Gaelic schools
There has been good progress made with the Glasgow Gaelic school and the Inverness Gaelic school. Dedicated Gaelic schools are both beneficial and desirable. The Scottish Government is directing considerable support towards Gaelic education and we are increasing this funding. The establishment of a Gaelic school is a matter for individual councils but the Scottish Government will be happy to discuss these matters and consider what support can be provided.
In August 2006, the Glasgow Gaelic School opened for pre-school, primary and secondary pupils. They will be taught in Gaelic from ages 3-18 and it is expected that this will strengthen Gaelic subject delivery at secondary level in Scotland. In August 2007 the Gaelic primary opened in Inverness. This is Scotland's first purpose built Gaelic medium primary school. This school will be a focal point for Gaelic learning and activities in the Inverness area and has nursery and playgroup facilities.
Following consultation in 2006, Highland Council decided to designate Sleat Primary as a Gaelic Primary with an English Unit. There has also been some interest from parents in establishing a dedicated Gaelic Primaries in Portree and Fort William and Highland Council have agreed to take these forward. Interest has also been shown in Dingwall, Barra and Edinburgh. Pupils receive
GME in 62 units in Primary Schools in Scotland.
Provision of Gaelic teachers
There is now a range of measures in place to encourage young people to take up a career in Gaelic teaching. This includes distance learning courses, part time courses and conversion courses. In addition, we are supporting Bòrd na Gàidhlig's teacher recruitment campaign and the Gaelic teacher recruitment officer at Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
FE/HE, Adult & Teacher Education
Guidance issued from the Scottish Government to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) states that "The supply of teachers able to teach in the medium of Gaelic continues to be a priority for Scottish education Ministers. The Scottish Government would like the Council to continue to assist in promoting provision in this area."
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) published its report on Gaelic Education in Scotland / Solarachadh an fhoghlaim Ghaidhlig ann an Alba in November 2007. This was the result of analysis of available statistics, interviews with people in colleges and universities and discussion with a group of national experts on Gaelic. It made suggestions for means of enhancing the contribution of further and higher education to Gaelic development. The SFC has consulted on this report and has recently identified a new stream of funding and has invited proposals for projects to support Gaelic medium education. Specifically, the SFC is seeking to support immersion learning for students and the development of demand and resources. In addition, the SFC is offering additional support for Gaelic classes with small cohorts to ensure their financial viability.
The Gaelic college, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO), is funded by the SFC as a provider of Gaelic medium further education provision. As a part of the UHI Millennium Institute it also receives higher education institution support. In addition to this core funding, SMO receives additional ring-fenced higher education grant in recognition of its specialist mission and activities. The SFC also administers the grant offered to SMO by the Scottish Government under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 for the purpose of securing the continued development of Gaelic language and culture. This amounts to £1.25m in 2008-09.
Scottish Funding Council core funding also supports the provision of courses in Gaelic at Ayr College, Kilmarnock College, Langside College, Perth College, Reid Kerr College, Stow College and Edinburgh's Telford College, as well as further education courses at Lews Castle College and SMO.
The Scottish Funding Council has recognised that there are limitations on the available data on Gaelic activity. Arrangements are in hand to require universities to provide finer information on their Celtic studies provision. Latest data shows that there were 1,289 enrolments in Scottish colleges for courses with Gaelic content, delivered at 12 colleges. 59% of these enrolments were for courses featuring Gaelic content and delivery. In 2006-07, there were 397 students whose courses included Celtic Studies or Gaelic, of whom 205 were first degree students. In the same period there were 41 research postgraduates and 18 taught postgraduates.
Three universities in Scotland (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow) have departments of Celtic Studies where undergraduate and postgraduate students may study Gaelic and conduct research into Gaelic. The academic partners associated with the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute, particularly Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Lews Castle College, and Inverness College offer courses in Gaelic and promote the study of and research into Gaelic.
Core funding from the Scottish Funding Council supports, Department of Celtic, University of Aberdeen, Department of Celtic and Scottish Studies, School of Literature, Languages and Culture, University of Edinburgh, Department of Celtic, University of Glasgow, UHI Millennium Institute university-led provision at its academic partners in Inverness College, Lews Castle College and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama's degree in Scottish traditional music and piping
In addition, several universities including the University of Dundee, the University of St Andrews and the University of West of Scotland provide extra-mural classes in Gaelic to the broader community. The traditional Celtic / Gaelic universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen offer a range of under-graduate degree courses with Gaelic e.g. students can study Law and Gaelic, and Music and Gaelic Studies.
Adult Education
Funding is provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig to Clì Gàidhlig, the National Gaelic Learners' Association. They maintain a register of learners and advanced courses throughout Scotland. Cli co-ordinates and manage the delivery of intensive Ulpan training for adult learners and is in the process of establishing a national database of registered Ulpan tutors. (Ulpan is a fast and effective way to learn a language. It has been used to great effect in Israel, where it originated, and in Wales, where Ulpan has brought thousands of adult learners to fluency in Welsh.)
Teacher Education
A Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Officer is employed at Bòrd na Gàidhlig and will look specifically at a national recruitment campaign, liaison with Teacher Education Institutions, workforce planning for Gaelic teachers and a programme of school visits and career conventions. The Bòrd's Gaelic Teacher Recruitment Officer liaises with schools, colleges and universities, careers agencies and provides guidance to staff on raising awareness of Gaelic teaching opportunities and associated education career options.
The Thig a Theagasg (Come and Teach) recruitment packs that were produced by Comunn na Gàidhlig have been used by the Bòrd's Recruitment Officer in its campaign to encourage senior pupils and others to consider a career in Gaelic education. The Bòrd has also established a national recruitment campaign with a call to action of Gabh an Cothrom agus Thig a Theagasg (Take the Opportunity and Come and Teach). Guidance from the Scottish Government to the Scottish Funding Council (SHEFC) states that 'The supply of teachers able to teach in the medium of Gaelic continues to be a priority for Scottish education ministers'.
A number of other specific initiatives are in place to develop courses in Gaelic Medium Education and to improve access to teacher training, for example, Aberdeen University has developed a two year part-time opening learning version of its PGDE(S) in collaboration with Highland Council. Aberdeen University has also recently developed a new M.A/M.A. (Hons) in Gaelic with Education. This new 4 year degree allows students to combine language study with gaining a teaching qualification through a unique collaboration between the University of Aberdeen, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Lews Castle College. The first two years of language study are carried out at either Sabhal Mòr Ostaig or Lews Castle College with the final two years spent combining language study at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig / Lews Castle College and teacher training by blended learning, mainly online, with the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen
Strathclyde University in association with UHIMI (specifically Lews Castle College, Argyll College and Inverness College) and a few local authorities have developed a GME version of their PGDE(P) course. This course operates on a one-year full-time basis. SFC provides additional funding to Strathclyde University which guarantees a total of twenty places for Gaelic speakers under its PGDE(Primary) course