Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 07 Mar 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 7, 2000

Official Report 152KB pdf

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Petition (Gaelic-medium Education)

We have received a petition—PE82—on Gaelic-medium education. Are there any questions or comments before I suggest how we proceed?

Thank you for taking this item first, convener—I wanted to address this matter in particular. The topic of the petition was aired to some extent during last week's Gaelic debate. It is fair to say that most members are aware that the parents want to establish Gaelic-medium education and are concerned that there is no particular provision. However, we must also consider the principle of mentioning Gaelic in the first education bill ever to come before a Scottish Parliament.

I am grateful to Gillian Baxendine for the note that she has attached to the petition, because it lays out our options clearly. We could debate the subject here and now, but I think that that would neither do justice to the subject nor bring us to a resolution on the matter. There is a place for debate, but as members will be aware, discussions are taking place in Gaelic organisations about whether this is the right approach to take. It might be better to hold the debate during stage 2 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Bill.

I suggest that we note the petition and resolve to take evidence during stage 2, which we had already agreed to do in principle. It should not take us too long—a morning or so—but I know of a number of bodies that would like to give evidence. I suggest that we have the debate at that stage, when we are discussing amendments to the bill.

In the Gaelic debate last week, I said that I was minded to lodge an amendment. However, that will depend a great deal on what consultation takes place between now and then and what the organisations themselves suggest. We should appreciate the petition—it has the right aims; however, the debate to achieve action on it can be held during stage 2, when we will come to a definitive conclusion.

I support that suggestion—it is an important issue, and an area in which there is continuing discussion. One way forward is to lodge an amendment to the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Bill, while another is that this issue should be part of a wider Gaelic language legislative initiative; that debate will continue. We should note the petition and recognise that this is an issue that we need to discuss more fully.

I am one of the few present who was not able to impress you with my knowledge of Gaelic in the debate last week. Mike Russell's Gaelic was very good. A whole speech in Gaelic—I was impressed. I spent a week practising a sentence.

Mike's is a good idea; we will have a chance to debate the matter further at stage 2. I support what Lewis Macdonald said about a Gaelic language act, as securing the status of Gaelic is an aim of the Gaelic community. There might be a more appropriate mechanism, but we can discuss that at a later stage.

I warmly support that, especially given the area that I represent. Mike Russell is quite right to say that we can debate Gaelic at stage 2. That would send a clear signal to the Gàidhealtachd, the western isles, and councils such as Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty, that we will seriously consider the matter.

We said that the learning of Gaelic can assist education in the broadest sense in the debate, but we should say it again. It is an inflected language, which can help children to learn German. In my town, Tain, Gaelic-medium education has been a great success and has led to improved attainment in other subjects. Good for them.

We seem to have agreement on that.

Are we agreed that we will take evidence at that stage?

Yes.

Will we ask Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) to talk to us at that stage, and consider other organisations from which to take evidence?

We will make arrangements for that.

At what stage will we take evidence?

Stage 2.

Are we including a Gaelic-medium unit—one that delivers at the sharp end—in this?

No. Let us be clear. The issue on which we will take evidence is whether there should be a statutory right to Gaelic education. On that issue, we should take evidence both from Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) and from other bodies. At that stage, we should decide whether—as I hope—the Executive might introduce its own amendment or whether a member of the committee will lodge an amendment.

Is Jamie happy with that?

I warn you that there are almost as many Gaelic organisations as there are Gaelic speakers.

I am sure that the cream will rise, as they say.

Jamie's brother is a cheesemaker.

We all know that now.

I will declare my interest in German next time.