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Gaelic status considered for ten schools              23/9/14

 

‘Significant progress’ has been made in the Comhairle’s desire to ensure Gaelic is the main language used in all Western Isles primary schools.

 

In April ten schools were identified as meeting the council’s Gaelic Action Plan target and eligible Gaelic School status – Balivanich, Bernera, Breasclete, Castlebay, Daliburgh, Iochdar, Leverhulme, Sgoil an Taobh Sair, Shawbost and Sir E Scott primaries.

 

Consultations - called community conversations by the education department - took place over the summer.

 

Seven of the schools have agreed for the Comhairle to proceed nomination for Gaelic School status to the Scottish Government – Bernera, Breasclete, Castlebay, Iochdar, Leverhulme, Sgoil an Taobh Sair and Shawbost primaries.

 

Further discussion is required with the communities of Balivanich School, Daliburgh School and Sir E Scott however.

 

The Comhairle have agreed, in partnership with the Scottish Government, the ten schools – unlike previous Gaelic School proposals – will continue to provide English Medium Education.

 

Parent Councils of all ten schools have expressed interest in visiting a school on the mainland with Gaelic School status with English Medium classes; and Bord na Gaidhlig has agreed to make those visits happen in the new session.