Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill
| Act of Senedd Cymru | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act of Senedd Cymru to promote and facilitate use of the Welsh language, including by setting a target to increase the number of speakers to at least 1 million by 2050, by setting common reference levels for describing ability, by providing for a national framework and local strategic plans for improving Welsh language education, by introducing a system of categorisation of the Welsh language education provided by schools, by setting Welsh language learning goals for schools to pursue through Welsh language education delivery plans, and by establishing a National Institute for Learning Welsh as a statutory body to support lifelong learning of Welsh. |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | Mark Drakeford MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language |
| History of passage through the Senedd | |
The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill is a proposed law of Wales relating to the promotion of Welsh-medium education in Wales with the goal of increasing the number of Welsh speakers in Wales to 1 million.[1]
Background
[edit]In 2022, it was revealed that in the 2021 census, the proportion of the population of Wales who were Welsh speakers decreased, compared to the 2011 census.[2]
The Welsh Governemnt established the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities in 2022.[3] It was chaired by Simon Brooks and made recommendations to allow councils to designate areas of linguistic significance and for areas where 40% of the population are Welsh speakers to be automatically designated as linguistically significant.[4][5]
At the time of the passage of the bill, 23% of pupils in Wales were Welsh speakers.[6]
Provisions
[edit]The legislation contains a target to increase the proportion of pupils who are Welsh speakers to 30% by 2030-31 and 40% by 2050.[6]
The bill establishes three categories for education in Wales, each with a minimum amount of Welsh-medium education:[7]
- primarily Welsh language, minimum 80%
- dual language, minimum 50%
- primarily English education, partly Welsh, minimum 10%
Reception
[edit]The integrated impact assessment accompanying the legislation during its passage was criticised for lacking in detail.[8] Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) said it was "disappointed" that the Welsh government did not pursue "Welsh-medium education for all".[7]
See also
[edit]- Welsh Language Act 1967
- Welsh Language Act 1993
- Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
- National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012
References
[edit]- ^ Lewis, Rhodri (11 January 2025). "Plans for all 16-year-olds to speak Welsh 'lack detail'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Prys, Cynog; Hodges, Rhian (15 December 2022). "Number of Welsh speakers has declined – pandemic disruption to education may be a cause". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Minister reveals proposals to safeguard Welsh speaking communities". Nation.Cymru. 4 August 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Edwards, Oscar; Huw, Aled (1 June 2023). "Give councils power to preserve Welsh language, report says". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Shipton, Martin (26 March 2025). "Language campaigners 'let down by Welsh Government's failure to commit to protection measures for Welsh-speaking communities'". Nation.Cymru. Archived from the original on 26 March 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b Jones, Alun (6 May 2025). "Bill to boost Welsh learners passes key stage". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b Jones, Alun (14 May 2025). "'Historic' bill to boost Welsh learners passed in Senedd". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Betteley, Chris (17 July 2024). "Unions warn of effect on teachers of Welsh language education bill". Cambrian News. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.