RhAG is an association which represents parents throughout Wales. Our group includes both Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers; some of us live in towns, others in the country; some of us were born and brought up in Wales, others have moved here to live. But what unites us all is the conviction that bilingualism is one of the greatest gifts one can give a child, and that the ability to speak Welsh will help children develop confidence in themselves and in their culture.
A child can become bilingual by being immersed in the language at school. Only in Welsh medium schools does this happen.
About 21% of the population of Wales speaks the Welsh language, whilst about 20% of our children are taught in Welsh medium schools. In some schools, there is a high percentage of pupils from non-Welsh speaking backgrounds, and Welsh medium schools have some of the best results in the country.
Unfortunately, not everyone in Wales is in reasonable travelling distance of a Welsh medium school, by a long chalk. Research has shown that up to 50% of parents in Wales would be interested in sending their children to Welsh medium schools if they were as accessible as the English medium ones. RhAG works to persuade local education authorities and the Welsh Assembly to respond appropriately to this demand.
