16-08-06
This year's guest speakers at RhAG's National Eisteddfod Meeting in Swansea were Cefin Campbell, Michael Jones and Dr Einir Young who gave their opinions on the priorities for Welsh medium education over the next 10 years.
We were given an impression of the state of the language in our traditional communities by Cefin, in our schools by Michael and finally in our higher education establishments by Einir - a theme brought up many times during the week of this year's Eisteddfod. There were many interesting points made during the meeting, perhaps chief among which being the challenge we face in allowing our children to continue with their further education through the medium of Welsh. As parents we are quite ready to complain about nursery, primary and secondary education but pretty quiet when it comes to further education. But are we just going to accept the situation as it is? Are 16-year-olds able to make the choices they want and are those choices acceptable? Do our responsiblities as parents for our children's education stop when they reach 16? We insist on our children receiving bilingual provision until the end of their school careers, so why do our concerns stop at that point? There may be the odd possibility for Welsh medium study in further education but in reality there are precious few. There is a need to extend provision throughout the sector. What about, for example, a Welsh medium course in medicine in Cardiff, one of the world's leading medical schools? Or maybe studying Marine Biology at Bangor University?
We need to think about innovative ways of teaching to tackle the problem and the powers that be must be leant upon to consider these. Does one just have to accept what one sees in the college prospectus? Why don't you ask to do your chosen course in Welsh - and let Elin know about the response you get.
Thanks to everyone who came to listen and support the meeting. Remember that the RhAG Annual Conference is taking place on November 18th this year in Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe, Swansea, from 10am to 4pm. All welcome.
