There has been a plea from parents for the construction of more Welsh medium schools to satisfy demand.
The call comes after it was revealed parents in Cardiff have been told there are not enough places for their children in Welsh medium primary schools in the area.
Cardiff Council have said that it will create the classes in existing English medium schools across the city to offer places in what they term "starter classes". The council said it was confident that places would be available for all the children who have applied.
However, so far 540 children have applied for Welsh medium places in September, but only 505 places are available.
The fact that there is such demand for Welsh medium education is encouraging but it is disappointing that so far demand seems to be outstripping supply and this points to a failing on the Welsh Assembly governments part in respect of providing resources for Welsh medium education.
Celtic News has periodically highlighted concerns by parents, teachers and language organisations (see Celtic News items below) so the Assembley government has had plenty of warning that these deficiencies might arise.
Celtic News:
No. 1919 WELSH LANGUAGE - CLEARER PICTURE OF DEMAND Dec 2005
No. 1762 PRIVATE SCHOOL PROTEST HIGHLIGHTS LANGUAGE ACT ANOMALY Sep 2005
No. 1681 WELSH EDUCATION DEMAND OUTSTRIPS SUPPLY .Apr 2005
No. 1561 LANGUAGE CONCERN AS PARENTS GROUP GEARS UP FOR AGM Nov 2004
No. 1436 LANGUAGE - SCHOOL PLACES NOT AVAILABLE CLAIM Apr 2004
No.1235 REJECTION OF WELSH MEDIUM SCHOOLS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CLAIM Sep 2003
No. 1213 SECOND WELSH-MEDIUM SCHOOL FOR SWANSEA Sep 2003
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
28/04/07
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