Earlier this year we reported on the campaign by parents at Sleat on the Isle of Skye who wanted their local school to teach solely through the medium of Gaelic.
(See Celtic News No 1956 GAELIC ONLY EDUCATION SOUGHT FOR SLEAT SCHOOL May 30, 2006)
Now Highland Council has decided to designate Sleat Primary School on Skye as its first all-Gaelic school which would seem to be a victory.
However, somewhat bizarrely Councillors have also agreed that the school will also have an English medium unit despite claims that parents had not been consulted over the new plan.
Education Chiefs say the compromise is a workable solution which would satisfy all parties but not everyone is convinced.
Councillor Bill Fulton said "It's the first time I can remember in 17 years that as a council we have managed to alienate both sides of the argument".
The debate over the school had split the community in the south of the island so in a public consultation exercise, parents were asked to vote for full Gaelic status or the status quo.
It does seem however that this curious hybrid is now to be imposed and the controversy seems set to continue.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
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