The number of Welsh medium primaries in Newport could increase from the current one to three.
The number of Welsh medium primaries in Newport could increase from the current one to three.
14-02-07
As part of the Single Education Plan that every county in Wales has had to draw up since September 2006, there was a requirement for each education authority to measure the demand for Welsh medium education within their county. The Welsh Assembbly Government sent out guidelines on how to so this, but unfortunately a number of the surveys have been to no avail because they targeted children who had already chosen Welsh medium education in some counties, and in others the system for sending out forms and collecting data was not satisfactory.
In spite of this, a number of counties have been in discussions with RhAG and the education department of the Welsh Language Board with a view to modifying their methods and the enthusiastic reponse we have had to assess the real demand is promising.
At least two counties have instructed outside firms to undertake surveys with Newport the latest to publish their survey. Responding to the survey, Owen John Thomas AM South Wales Central (Opposition Spokesman on Culture, Welsh and Sports), stated:
Wales’ youngest city should be congratulated for showing the way by determining the demand for education through the medium of Welsh with a thorough and detailed survey of parents. The survey of parents in Newport with children born during the 2004/5 school year shows substantial support for an increase in Welsh medium education. There were 625 positive responses out of a total of around 1,335 valid replies. i.e. 47%. Out of the 625 who replied positively, 191 (31%) said they were “very likely” or “quite likely” to choose Welsh medium education if a suitable school were located within two miles of their home. The number of “very likely” responses was 99 (16%) and the number of “quite likely” responses was 92 (15%).
This gives us a chance to double the number going into Welsh medium education each year in Newport from 60 i 120. The cross-party support in the Assembly for a new bilingual generation would get its greatest push if the Government in the Bay were to lean on other local authorities in the east of Wales to follow Newport’s example.”
To read the full response (Welsh) press on the icon: 
