Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Official Report 912KB pdf

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Gaelic-medium Education (Western Isles)

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-20588, in the name of Alasdair Allan, on Gaelic-medium education in the Western Isles. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. If members wish to use headphones for translation purposes, they should plug them in at the right-hand side of their consoles and should tune in to channel 1.

Motion debated,

That the Parliament welcomes Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s decision to enrol pupils entering P1 into Gaelic-medium education (GME) as the default choice; recognises that parents can still choose to put their children into English-medium education (EME); further recognises that this decision was taken as a majority of parents were expected to enrol their children into GME in 2020; notes that the percentage of children entering GME in Na h-Eileanan an Iar has steadily increased over the last decade; further notes that increasing the level of GME enrolment to 55% was an action in the council’s statutory Gaelic Language Plan; commends Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for becoming the first council in Scotland to take this policy decision; further commends the council for taking what it sees as this progressive step to consolidate the national language in its heartland communities; understands that there is an overwhelming consensus among academics and researchers in support of the cognitive benefits of bilingual education, and reiterates the findings of the 2010 study by the University of Edinburgh, which it understands outlined evidence that GME pupils, on a whole, outperform their EME peers in English reading by P5.

17:06  

Presiding Officer, please stop me if for any reason the simultaneous interpretation does not come through.

The member continued in Gaelic.

Le foillseachadh naidheachd Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar gum bi gach pàiste a tha a’ dol a-steach dhan chiad chlas anns a’ bhun-sgoil am-bliadhna gan clàradh, mar bhun-roghainn, ann am foghlam tron Ghàidhlig, dh’èirich deasbad mì-chneasta air luach foghlam dà-chànanach, agus air an dleastanas againn a bhith a’ brosnachadh agus a’ leasachadh aon de chànanan dùthchasach nàiseanta na h-Alba na dhachaigh fhèin, ann an sgìre far a bheil i ga bruidhinn gu làitheil le còrr is an dàrna leth dhen t-sluagh.

Nochd grunn bheachdan, anns na pàipearan agus air na meadhanan sòisealta, a thug gu follais an dearg-aineolas a th’ aig cuid fhathast air an deasbad—beachdan seann-fhasanta, o àm gu àm, anns a bheil cion tuigse agus cion modh.

Tha mi ag aideachadh gun do chuir mi an gluasad seo a-steach gus na beachdan faoin seo a cheartachadh.

Cha chan mi mar fhreagairt dhìreach, ge-tà, ach, mar a chuir an Daily Gael an cèill air latha foillseachadh a’ bhuidseit, gu bheil a h-uile coltas ann nach do chuir foghlam Gàidhlig bacadh sam bith air Cèit Fhoirbeis chòir.

Anns a’ chiad àite, bu toil leam a ràdh nach eil co-dhùnadh na comhairle ach a’ leantail fàs ann an àireamh nam pàrantan a tha a’ taghadh foghlam Gàidhlig dhan chuid chloinne anns na h-Eileanan an Iar.

Atharrachadh poileasaidh ann no às, tha foghlam Gàidhlig gu bhith na phrìomh roghainn do chloinn ro 2021, agus sin a rèir roghainn nam pàrantan.

San sgìre-phàrlamaid agamsa, tha cuid a sgoiltean anns nach eil foghlam Gàidhlig idir. Ann an cuid a sgoiltean eile, bidh gach duine-chloinne a’ dol a-steach dhan t-sruth Ghàidhlig ann am bun-sgoil a h-aon—BS1—air a’ bhliadhna sa tighinn. Agus tha mi a’ moladh na h-obrach a tha na tidsearan seo uile a’ dèanamh anns na h-eileanan—anns a’ Ghàidhlig no anns a’ Bheurla.

Anns an dàrna àite, chan eil am poileasaidh ùr idir ag ràdh ri pàrantan nach fhaod iad an cuid chloinne a chur gu foghlam Beurla. Gus am miann sin a chomharrachadh an-dràsta, chan fheum pàrant ach sin a chlàradh air foirm.

Ge-tà, tha an t-atharrachadh ann am poileasaidh na comhairle seo a’ seasamh mar a’ chiad uair a chaidh a’ Ghàidhlig a shuidheachadh mar phrìomh roghainn air foghlam bun-sgoile aig ùghdarras poblach a-riamh—on uair a dh’fhàg Achd an Fhoghlaim (Alba) 1872 nach biodh solarachadh ann idir don Ghàidhlig—cànan a bha aig aon chairteal millein no an còrr ann an Alba aig an àm ud. Bha làn-thìde aig seo tachairt—ach ’s fheàrr an tighinn anmoch na bhith gun tighinn idir.

Tha am fàs ann am foghlam Gàidhlig—anns na h-Eileanan an Iar agus air feadh na h-Alba—na dheagh leasachadh, a’ cur ìocshlaint gu h-ìre air an droch-làimhseachadh a dh’fhulang na Gàidheil fad bhliadhnaichean mòra de dhroch-dhìol ann am foghlam Beurla aig làmhan an riaghaltais.

Ann an sgìrean leithid nan Eileanan an Iar, tha a’ Ghàidhlig a’ tighinn beò anns a’ choimhearsnachd. Tha an sgìre-phàrlamaid agam na dachaigh don ìre as àirde de luchd-labhairt a’ chànain ann an àite sam bith. Cluinnear i anns na bùithtean, na h-eaglaisean agus aig tachartasan air feadh nan eileanan.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

The welcome announcement by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar that it would, by default, enrol all pupils entering primary 1 into Gaelic-medium education caused a torrid debate on bilingual education, as well as on the merits of promoting Scotland’s indigenous and national language in the region where it is the habitual language of most residents.

A few comments that appeared in the papers and on social media brought to light the uninformed, outdated and blatantly offensive opinions that some individuals hold on the subject. I admit that I submitted the motion praising the comhairle’s policy change in order to correct such dismal views. Perhaps the best response, however, is to point out, as the Daily Gael did on budget day, that Gaelic-medium education does not appear to have held Kate Forbes back.

First, I would like to state that the move by the local authority is in direct response to the steady growth in the numbers of parents choosing to enter their child into Gaelic-medium education in the Western Isles. Irrespective of that change in policy, enrolment into Gaelic-medium education is set to become the leading preference before 2021, and that has been driven by parental choice. In my constituency, some schools do not provide Gaelic-medium education at all, but in others all children who enter primary 1 next year will enrol in Gaelic-medium education. I commend the work that all teachers in the islands are doing via the mediums of both Gaelic and English.

Secondly, the policy does not preclude parents from choosing English-medium education for their children. To mark their desire to enrol a child into English-medium education in the Western Isles, a parent simply has to tick a box on the enrolment form to indicate that preference. That represents the first time that it has been possible for a parent to select Gaelic as their primary choice. Since the Education (Scotland) Act 1872 notoriously made no provision at all in the education system for the Gaelic language, which was then spoken by a quarter of a million people across Scotland, that step is long overdue, but is better late than never.

The growth in the popularity of Gaelic-medium education in the Western Isles and throughout Scotland is a progressive development that helps to heal the deep hurt that has been caused by the gap in state-sponsored educational provision in the mother tongue. In areas such as the Western Isles, Gaelic is coming back to life and remains a living language in the community. My constituency is home to the highest number of speakers per head anywhere. Gaelic is heard in the shops, in churches and at social events across the constituency.

Bidh fios aig Alasdair Allan gu bheil dùil aig Glaschu sgoil ùr Ghàidhlig a thogail—an ceathramh sgoil sa bhaile. Nach eil e a’ smaointinn gu bheil an t-àm ann sgoil ùr Ghàidhlig no barrachd sgoiltean Gàidhlig a thogail sa Ghàidhealtachd, far a bheil Gàidhlig fhathast ri cluinntinn anns na coimhearsnachdan?

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Dr Allan will be aware that a fourth Gaelic school is being built in Glasgow. Is it not time that we built some new Gaelic schools in the Highlands, where we still speak and hear Gaelic?

Tha mi ag aontachadh leis a’ bheachd an sin, agus tha e a’ dèanamh ciall na mo bheachdsa gum biodh sgoiltean anns a’ Ghàidhlig a-mhàin gan togail anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus anns na h-eileanan anns an àm ri teachd. Tha mi an dòchas gun tachair sin.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I am very much of the opinion that there should be Gaelic-only schools in the Highlands and Islands in time to come, and I hope that that will come to be. It is clear to see that there is growth in Gaelic in the islands and around the country.

The member continued in Gaelic.

Tha fàs na Gàidhlig anns na h-eileanan, agus air feadh na dùthcha cuideachd, gu math follaiseach.

Tha barrachd is barrachd ag iarraidh gum biodh an cothrom aig clann pàirt a ghabhail anns a’ choimhearsnachd aca fhèin anns an dòigh seo.

Tha e air leth cudromach gum bi an Riaghaltas a’ cur taic ri clann ann an ionnsachadh cànan an coimhearsnachd, cànan an teaghlaich agus cànan an dùthchais, agus a’ cur fàilte ro dhaoine eile tighinn a-steach don t-saoghal seo.

Cò bheireadh bho phàiste an cothrom air pàirt a ghabhail ann an còmhraidhean teaghlaich; no a bhith a’ tuigsinn sgeulachdan an sin-sheanair air clàraidhean Tobar an Dualchais; no, mar a chuir boireannach a cheumnaich o fhoghlam Gàidhlig an cèill, a bhith a’ faicinn an t-saoghail—chan ann ann an dubh is geal—ach le dathan?

Tha foghlam tron chànan mhàthaireil no tron chànan sgìreil a’ cur ri toraidhean ionnsachaidh agus iomadachd chultarach.

Tha rannsachadh a’ dearbhadh gu bheil deagh bhuaidh aig foghlam tron chànan dhùthchasach air fèin-aithne agus misneachd an luchd-labhairt.

Tha Buidheann nan Dùthchannan Aonaichte airson Foghlaim, Saidheans is Cultar—UNESCO—air a’ phoileasaidh seo a chur air adhart fad iomadh deichead.

Ann am fianais an t-suidheachaidh chruinneil seo, tha foghlam Gàidhlig anns na h-Eileanan an Iar agus air feadh na h-Alba a’ fàs, agus le deagh adhbhar.

Tha iomadh buannachd an cois dà-chànanachais, leithid fàs na cruthachalachd, leasachadh na h-eanchainne agus fosgladh chothroman obrach. Tha dà chànan a’ fàgail gu bheil ionnsachadh an treas cànain—agus an ceathramh cànain—buileach nas fhasa.

A bheil e na iongnadh, mar sin, gu bheil àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig, a th’ air a ruith le aon chomhairle, aig mullach liosta nan sgoiltean ann an Alba?

Tha cuimhne agam air aon Albannach ainmeil, bho chionn deich air fhichead bliadhna, a bhith ag ràdh air an radio gun robh e “taingeil” nach do chùm a phàrantan a’ Ghàidhlig ris, air eagal ’s gun robh e “air a chumail air ais na bheatha”. Gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig, no dà-chànanachas sam bith, a’ cumail clann air ais—uill ’s fhada on a shaoil mi gun robh an t-amaideas sin air fhuadach dhan aon oisinn nàr anns a bheil na beachdan ud a chuireadh an cèill le cleasaichean a choimheadadh tu air an teilidh air oidhche Shathairne mun bhliadhna 1975.

A bharrachd air na buannachdan a dh’ainmich mi roimhe, tha foghlam Gàidhlig—far a bheil Beurla ga teagasg cuideachd bho BS3—a’ buileachadh comas sa Ghàidhlig agus sa Bheurla air a’ chloinn. Gu dearbh, ann an rannsachadh a chaidh a dhèanamh le Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann ann an 2010, rinn sgoilearan Gàidhlig an gnothach air sgoilearan Beurla ann an leughadh na Beurla aig ìre BS5—rud a lean air a-steach dhan àrd-sgoil. Feumaidh a’ chomhairle, agus comhairlean air feadh na dùthcha, torr eile a dhèanamh airson na Gaidhlig. Feumaidh iad a bhith ag èisteachd ri tidsearan mu cheistean mar taic, agus planaigeadh mar eisimpleir.

Air sgàth ’s gu bheil tìde a ruith a-mach, innse mi mu dheireadh gu bheil mi a’ creidsinn, mar a chunnaic sin air feadh Gàidhealtachd na h-Alba, agus ann an suidheachaidhean mion-chànain eile air feadh an t-saoghail, gu bheil cunnart nach beag ron chànan às aonais taic làidir sheasmhach on Riaghaltas. Tha mi a’ creidsinn gu bheil an taic sin a’ tighinn, agus tha mi taingeil gu bheil.

Gu dearbh, tha mi a’ moladh na comhairle airson a’ cheuma adhartaich a tha seo agus a’ Ghàidhlig a ghleidheadh na dachaigh fhèin.

Bhithinn gam brosnachadh gu bhith a’ dol buileach nas fhaide às leth a’ chànain, ag obair agus ag èisteachd ri tidsearan. Leis an eòlas a th’ againn air na buannachdan eanchainneach, cultarach agus sòisealta a tha an cois dà-chànanachais le cànan coimhearsnachd, bu chòir gum bi cothrom air foghlam tron Ghàidhlig anns gach sgoil, do gach pàiste anns na h-Eileanan an Iar, agus nas fhaide a-muigh.

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

More and more people want their children to be able to take an active part in these aspects of the community, and it is crucial that the state supports children to learn the language of their community, of their family and of their cultural heritage, and to welcome others into that vibrant world. Who would wish upon a child the inability to participate unhindered in family discussions; to access stories told by their great-grandparents, recorded for posterity on Tobar an Dualchais; or, as one graduate of Gaelic-medium education once described it, to see the world not just in black and white but in full colour?

Education provision in a mother tongue or regional language improves learning outcomes and promotes cultural diversity. Research evidences the positive effects on identity and speaker confidence that are endowed by the promotion of heritage language education. UNESCO has championed the policy for decades.

In a broader global context, Gaelic-medium education in the Western Isles and in the rest of Scotland is growing, and for good reason. There are wide-ranging benefits to bilingualism, including increased creativity, heightened cognitive abilities and greater job opportunities. Having two languages makes the third, and the fourth, easier to learn. Is it a surprise, then, that there is a council-run Gaelic-medium state-funded school that is repeatedly placed within the top secondary schools in Scotland?

Thirty years ago, I remember hearing a prominent Scot—one who should have known better—offering the opinion on the radio that he was “grateful” that his Gaelic-speaking parents had never spoken Gaelic to him when he was growing up in case that had “held him back”. Let me be clear: the idea that Gaelic or any form of bilingualism might hold children back is a view that I thought had been long relegated to the same embarrassing corner as the views that were expressed by comedians on Saturday night TV around the year 1975.

In addition to the benefits that have been previously mentioned, Gaelic-medium education, in which English language is taught from primary 3, endows a child with both English and Gaelic. A recent report by the University of Edinburgh stated:

“By the end of primary school, most pupils in both Gaelic medium and English medium are judged by their schools to have reached the level of attainment expected of pupils at that stage ... in English reading, writing, talking and listening”.

However, we need to start listening to teachers and working with them more in terms of planning and support.

I can see that my time is running out. As we see in Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland and in minority language-speaking areas, there is a danger that, without proper support, those languages will suffer, but I am glad that the support is here.

I commend Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for that progressive step, but I encourage it to go even further and to listen to teachers and their experience of the cultural, social and cognitive benefits of bilingualism and community languages. Gaelic-medium education should be available to all pupils in every school. Thank you for listening.

17:15  

I apologise for not speaking in Gaelic. I thank Alasdair Allan for lodging the motion and allowing Parliament the opportunity to talk about this important matter.

In the spirit of this debate, I do not intend to make any party-political points, but I feel it necessary to address directly some of the recent reported comments concerning the issue and to put on record my party’s support for Gaelic.

The Scottish Conservatives have long been supportive of Gaelic language and culture. It was the arguments of the former Secretary of State for Scotland, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, that ensured vital funding for Gaelic broadcasting and culture in the 1980s, which undoubtedly continued to have an impact for years afterwards.

In the founding year of the Comunn na Gàidhlig, at its first conference held at the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, George Younger was the keynote speaker, such was his enthusiasm and passion for the language. From that day until today, members on the Conservative benches have consistently supported Gaelic as a vital part of our national fabric and as something that needs to be protected and preserved. In addition to that, I have consistently argued that we need to depoliticise Gaelic, not least because its very existence is at stake.

Politicisation of the language helps nobody and impacts many, especially when some of the usual clichéd attacks arise in print and social media. Those of us who are present today must continue to be champions of Gaelic language and culture—regardless of political stripe—here in the Scottish Parliament and in our communities. Gaelic rightly enjoys cross-party support at Holyrood.

On the specific issue that Alasdair Allan raises, I am delighted to support his motion and the decision of the comhairle to make Gaelic-medium education its default choice for pupils at P1. It is clear to me that that decision was taken on the basis of increasing demand for pupils to be taught in Gaelic medium and that parents would be able to opt out if they so wished—Alasdair Allan made those points in his speech.

Bilingualism is plainly beneficial. We are all aware of the mistakes in the previous century when one language was promoted to the total exclusion of the other. Equality of provision is paramount, but such equality is not denied by making Gaelic-medium education the default language, as long as parents can opt out, which is the case here.

I have met Bernard Chisholm, who is the director of education and children’s services at the comhairle, several times. He is an inspirational figure. I know how passionate he is about young people on the islands, their futures and delivering high-class education in an environment that has unique challenges. Notwithstanding that, it is important to say that it is crucial that the comhairle keeps the policy under review, because concerns have been raised about the general shortage of GME teachers nationally, and in the Western Isles specifically, and about whether schools would have a full complement of teachers beyond P4

There is also the question whether children who remain in English-medium education could—I stress the word “could”—become isolated if they are in a very small minority, especially in some very rural communities with composite classes, for example. We must make every effort to ensure that that does not happen.

Those matters should rightly be examined by the local authority, and I know from speaking to the authority that the education officials are aware of and alive to the issues.

The member may be aware that, when it comes to attracting more people into Gaelic-medium education, one of the challenges is encouraging people to continue with Gaelic after they have left school. Some of the noise around Gaelic puts people off. I have always appreciated the cross-party work with Donald Cameron to support Gaelic. Is he mindful of the point that collective cross-party support for Gaelic in and beyond the chamber, to encourage people to continue to pursue their careers, is a good idea?

I thank Kate Forbes for that intervention. I am mindful of that point. When we talk about Gaelic education, we have to look at the whole period of education, from pre-school nursery all the way through to the end of secondary school and beyond. The continuum is much longer than people perhaps think at first.

This is a positive step forward. More people are looking to learn Gaelic, the demand for Gaelic school places is increasing in the central belt, and the fact that, as of 2018, local authorities and Government agencies have developed and implemented some 50 Gaelic language plans, is equally welcome.

Ensuring the long-term survival of Gaelic as a working language is clearly a priority and righting the wrongs of the past is paramount. Let us be the generation that not only preserves the Gaelic language but enhances and expands its use, primarily in the Western Isles, but way beyond that, too.

17:20  

I thank Alasdair Allan for bringing the motion to the chamber and for giving us the opportunity to highlight the benefits to children of speaking more than one language—Gaelic, on this occasion—and the undoubted benefits of Gaelic-medium education.

As has been highlighted, those benefits are found not just in the Western Isles but in other parts of Scotland. I have visited the Glasgow Gaelic school as well as other places, including in Aberdeen—had Lewis Macdonald taken part in the debate, he would have highlighted the importance of Gaelic-medium education there.

The provision of such education is always the result of parental demand—as long as there is demand, there must be provision. I am proud to have been the Minister for Schools and Skills who embedded the use of Scotland’s languages—Gaelic, Scots and English—in the curriculum for excellence, to ensure that all children would have the best start in life and at school. If the language of home and play was not English, it was important to build on that language and not preclude it. For many years in Aberdeen, the reading bus went around all schools and play groups to do that, predominantly using Scots—or Doric as we call it in the north-east—but also using Gaelic. The wonderful Sheena Blackhall was a frequent visitor who helped on the bus.

I was also glad that, as a subsequent schools minister, Alasdair Allan continued to focus on the importance of multilingualism, with the introduction and roll-out of the one-plus-two approach in primary schools. I have seen that working in practice with such enthusiasm in the primary schools in my constituency—particularly in Newtonhill primary school in Aberdeenshire.

It is important to remember that monoglot countries are the exception rather than the rule. When one lands in Spain and connects to the local mobile providers, up comes the opportunity to link into Catalan, Euskera and Spanish—none of that seems to be a problem. As Scotland progresses as a nation, it is important that we recognise the languages of all our people.

I am proud that the use of Gaelic and British Sign Language is embedded in law and I look forward to the day when Scots also takes its rightful place. I hope that a Scots language bill will be part of a future Government’s programme. I know that Conservative Party member Peter Chapman is interested in such a bill and I hope that he can persuade his colleagues of its merits.

I note that Donald Cameron supports the motion and it was great to hear him say that he spoke for all the Conservatives. I hope that he told all his colleagues that that was the case—that is perhaps why the spokespeople for the Conservatives have changed today. I always find it ironic that his party supports private schools and their provision of dead languages, rather than the living language that is Gaelic.

I agree with Kate Forbes that Highland Council should be embracing and expanding Gaelic provision; and I commend Aberdeenshire Council and its paper, “Scots Language Guidelines” for promoting Scots in all its work. I look forward to Scotland being the more multicultural and multilingual country that we desire it to be.

17:25  

I congratulate Alasdair Allan on securing this debate and join him in paying tribute to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for its policy of making Gaelic-medium education the default position for children entering primary school. There will be those who will argue against that, but maybe we need to look back to see why it is necessary to take that step.

In my first primary school, every child was a native Gaelic speaker; Gaelic was their first language, but there was no Gaelic-medium provision. There was no choice and the perception was that going to school and learning in a language that we did not understand was fine. The comhairle is turning that on its head and providing Gaelic-medium education for all children, some of whom will be native Gaelic speakers and learning for the first time in their own language. It is changed days from when my mother went to school in Lewis and was belted for speaking Gaelic.

I cannot understand the need to stamp out a language, which is something that has been going on for centuries. In the past, it was a way of exercising power and about the need to create an English-speaking world, which has happened to a large extent. Now, Gaelic-medium education is seen as a waste of scarce resources, but resources are a political decision. Therefore, perhaps in his summing up, the cabinet secretary will say how the Government will equip local councils to help them provide Gaelic-medium education rather than deal with constant cuts to their funding.

If council budgets are cut again this year, the clamour will only increase and people will say “What would you rather do: spend money on Gaelic-medium education or provide accommodation for homeless people?” It is difficult to argue with that view. However, the comhairle has turned the argument on its head, because Gaelic-medium education will be the norm in its area. I wonder whether some of the arguments that we hear about Gaelic-medium education will be used by those asking for the provision of English-medium education as an exception. I doubt that we will hear the same arguments about money and giving people chances that they might not have had normally. I think that it will be seen not as a waste of money but as parental choice.

There are arguments about life chances and about attainment, and Gaelic faces both but in opposite directions. On the one hand, we are told that speaking and learning in Gaelic will hold children back; on the other hand, we are told that multilingualism helps educational achievement. However, on the latter point, we are accused of spending money on middle-class children to have better educational outcomes. We cannot win. However, the comhairle has found a way to win: to go with the native language and make it the norm that all children have the same opportunities. I congratulate the comhairle and hope that other councils will take up Gaelic-medium education in the Highlands and in Argyll, where there is still a Gaelic language and culture to protect.

Sadly, people’s history, language and culture have been lost in many parts of Scotland due to the promotion of English; and what we have lost in those areas will never be regained. Therefore, we must redouble our efforts to make sure that we do not lose all that in the Gaelic-speaking areas as well. We must learn lessons from countries such as Wales, which has gone much further in protecting its native language and has given it equal status to English. Securing Gaelic’s status was a start, but since then we have done little to further its cause, which is why the comhairle’s step is so welcome. I agree with Donald Cameron that Gaelic has cross-party support. We must build on that and the Parliament must join the comhairle to take action to protect our language and culture.

17:29  

Unfortunately, I have to attend a meeting after I have spoken, so I regret that I will have to leave the chamber before the debate is concluded, although I will stay as long as I can.

I thank my colleague Dr Alasdair Allan for bringing the subject before Parliament for debate. The education and wellbeing of our children are, undoubtedly, the most important factors in Scotland’s future prosperity. Key parts of their education are attainment of a good standard of literacy and numeracy, and a good understanding of the world around us, and beyond. That is why bilingual education, and bilingualism, are things that we should embrace, given the benefit that they bring to the education and attainment of our children.

Gaelic is, of course, close to my heart. I hail from the Western Isles—I refer members to my register of interests—so, it is a source of personal disappointment that I cannot fluently speak the language of my heritage, despite it being on both sides of my family as far back as it could possibly go. Alasdair Allan referred to reasons for that; I am a result of Gaelic being discouraged in my family—in my parents and others.

There is, however, no excuse now, thanks to various means, not least the least of which is Duolingo. My wife is one of the 200,000 people who have signed up to Duolingo to learn Gaelic, and it is probably fair to say that she is well ahead of me now in her knowledge of Gaelic. It is also probably fair to say that there are now three of us in our marriage—me, Linda and an angry Duolingo owl who appears daily to give her a row when she falls behind with her tuition. It is great to see such massive signing up to Duolingo in a few short months. It is up to all 129 members to ensure Gaelic’s continued growth and the eventual removal of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s designation of the language as “definitely endangered”.

I record my thanks to Donald Cameron for clarifying his party’s position on Gaelic. Donald also mentioned the need to right the wrongs of the past. In my speech, I have deliberately avoided dwelling on the past, but as a Gael and as a Hebridean, I have to admit that I find it hard to forgive and forget.

However, we have to look to the future. I am pleased to say that Gaelic-medium education is on the increase. I was delighted to hear of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s decision to enrol primary 1 pupils to GME as the default, with English-medium education becoming the opt-in option. Undoubtedly, that will start to reverse the problems that have resulted from decline of the language and culture of the Western Isles over the decades.

Gaelic, however, is not only a language of the Highlands and Islands. There are great examples of Gaelic education in my constituency. The blasad Gàidhlig, or taste of Gaelic, programme, which is delivered by fèisgoil—the formal education strand of one of Scotland’s most successful arts organisations, Fèisan nan Gàidheal—has been instrumental in providing lessons to children in the Larbert cluster of schools in Falkirk district.

I recently visited Carron primary school in my constituency, to see Gaelic lessons being delivered by Fèisan nan Gàidheal tutor, Eilidh Cormack. The enthusiasm for Gaelic among the primary 1 to 3 pupils was infectious and a delight to see. With the benefits of bilingualism becoming more widely accepted, it is encouraging that more than 1,000 pupils from the Larbert cluster now have access to Gaelic through the fèisgoil programme. I look forward to the programme’s being rolled out to other schools in the district. Eventually, I hope to see in Falkirk district a Gaelic-medium unit, which I believe is long overdue.

A recent survey by Falkirk Council of parents of ante-pre-school-age children showed that almost 40 per cent of respondents would be interested in GME for their children, were it to be provided in the Falkirk area. Around 18 per cent of respondents intimated interest in GME if it were available outside Falkirk district—which, of course, it currently is, and pupils are transferred to those schools daily. I was therefore pleased to see a report, to a recent full meeting of Falkirk Council, that pointed to carrying out more work on that. If the right information is provided to parents on the benefits of GME and what it would mean for children in the area, a dedicated GME school would have to be built in the area, and more Gaelic units would be needed in the future. That would be similar to the success story that sees Glasgow building its fourth Gaelic school.

Gaelic is not just for children who are starting on their educational journeys. Adult learners of Gaelic are also on the increase in Falkirk district, where we have our own adult learning group—an clas Gàidhlig. The class has been running regularly for more than 10 years, and has seen hundreds of adult learners of Gaelic move from beginner to intermediate and beyond. Having been supported in the past by Falkirk Council and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the class is now primarily self funding and volunteer run. Learners from the class have spoken of the benefits that they have gained, including its helping to keep their minds active, especially for learners who have medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis or early-onset dementia. Past learners have also used the classes as a stepping stone to a career in teaching in GME schools.

Bilingual education and bilingualism are pathways to broadening a child’s learning experience. They can help to increase attainment in reading and writing, and to increase understanding of language and culture in a world in which too many people are wildly misunderstood. GME can be a key component in Scotland’s future prosperity and our place in the modern world. I certainly look forward to progress in my constituency and in the Western Isles.

Thank you for your indulgence, Presiding Officer.

17:35  

Moran taing is gabhaibh mo leisgeul. Chan eil ach beagan Gaidhlig agam. Mar as àbhaist, feumaidh mi Beurla a bhruidhinn.

I give my usual apology as I speak only a little Gaelic, Presiding Officer. I congratulate Dr Allan for lodging the motion and acknowledge how well crafted it is.

The motion lays out very precisely the aspects that need to be covered in debate. The first two paragraphs emphasise choice. No one is denying choice: the decision is an opportunity to increase availability of Gaelic medium education, driven largely by demand for it, which is to be welcomed. As the motion notes,

“the percentage of children entering GME in Na h-Eileanan an Iar has steadily increased over the last decade”

and

“55% was an action in the council’s statutory Gaelic Language Plan.”

I am ambivalent about plans: they are great if they are acted on, but too often they sit in nice folders on shelves, gathering dust. It is great to see such action being taken. The council is to be commended.

The motion refers to a

“progressive step to consolidate the national language in its heartland communities”,

which is very important.

On many occasions in Parliament, we have discussed the benefits of bilingualism. I have four grandchildren, two of whom are bilingual and fluent in Gaelic and two of whom are trilingual, also speaking Catalan and Castilian, as they call it. The benefits and the outward-looking approach that speaking other languages gives people should be widely recognised—indeed, the benefits are recognised in numerous academic studies. The motion alludes to the evidence that GME pupils outperform their English-medium education peers in English reading by primary 5. That is a very interesting statistic.

As has been touched on, there is a role for all of us in Parliament in promoting Gaelic—not as tokenism, but meaningfully. It would be very easy in a debate, particularly a members’ business debate, to be nice and cosy and cuddly, but we have to confront some things. What I would like to confront has been touched on—the comments of the Conservative Party’s since-shunted education spokesperson, who described the commendable steps as “deeply troubling”. Dr Allan talked about the deep hurt that it had caused. It is a deep hurt. People in the Highlands and Islands are sick of folk telling them how to do things. The Conservative Party spokesperson said that the children would be at a “distinct disadvantage” to their peers—clearly, that is completely erroneous—and that Gaelic should not be taught “at the expense of English”. English is more than capable of standing up for itself.

We heard from Rhoda Grant about people being belted for speaking Gaelic; perhaps Donald Cameron will know whether people have been belted. Ignorance is not offset by an apology, but I do not think that what we heard from the Conservative spokesperson was an apology. To the ignorant, I would say “Measar an t-amadan glic ma chumas e a theanga.” Of course, ignorance is widespread.

People have mentioned Highland Council and the demands that are placed on its school estate. Indeed, I have raised those demands with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. I have also raised with Highland Council the fact that it has been given £4 million by the Scottish Government that it is yet to do anything with. To have a Gaelic medium education school overflowing is intolerable. Public money should be dispersed in the proper way.

In the short time that I have left, there are many positive things that could be said. As members have said, it is not a party political issue. I was delighted, and not remotely surprised, to hear the positive comments by my colleague Donald Cameron, which were consistent with the view that should prevail across this chamber. Once again, I thank Dr Allan for bringing the debate to Parliament.

17:39  

I congratulate Dr Alasdair Allan on securing the debate and I associate myself with John Finnie’s remark that the motion is incredibly well crafted. We should not be at all surprised at its being so expertly crafted by such a wordsmith as Dr Allan. He puts us all to shame with his command of language and his demonstration of the strength of bilingualism in the way in which he pursues his personal interest and devotion to language—and particularly to encouraging the utilisation of the Gaelic language that is so dear to the heart of his constituency.

The Scottish Government attaches the greatest significance to taking forward its responsibility to promote and support the Gaelic language. Our aim is to increase the number of people who speak, learn and use the Gaelic language in Scotland. The debate has been a welcome opportunity for the reaffirmation of all-party support for the nurturing of the Gaelic language.

I very much welcome Donald Cameron’s comments in that respect. He was absolutely right to cite the experience, contribution and leadership of individuals such as George Younger, the late former Secretary of State for Scotland, and Malcolm Rifkind, another former Secretary of State for Scotland, who led from the front in encouraging the Gaelic language. I have absolutely no hesitation in paying tribute to their distinguished contribution at a time when the Gaelic language was in perhaps even more jeopardy than it is today. Such leadership was continued by the Labour Government and the Labour and Liberal Executive, and it has been continued by the Scottish National Party Government. We have been delighted to do so, and I am delighted, as Deputy First Minister, to have ministerial responsibility for the Gaelic language.

Angus MacDonald has now left the chamber, but I am one of the 200,000 he spoke about who have signed up to Duolingo. It is a nightly encouragement, inspiration and challenge, and I shall subject myself to no assessment by Dr Alasdair Allan on my continued performance.

The Government welcomes the decision of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to make Gaelic-medium education the default language available to all pupils who enter primary. I state that clearly and unreservedly to Parliament tonight. We are delighted that in many primary schools across the Western Isles—where last Thursday I had an inspiring visit to Stornoway primary school and saw at first hand the fruits of Gaelic-medium education for children there—more than 50 per cent of children are enrolled in Gaelic-medium education in primary 1.

Mr Finnie and Donald Cameron made the point that Dr Allan’s motion includes the important recognition of the existence of choice for parents as to the appropriate step to take. The Government believes that the bold, ambitious and correct move by the comhairle can only benefit pupils now and in their futures.

We look forward to seeing the number grow so that the language is retained and children are provided with the many benefits of bilingualism. That point is central to the debate and has been recognised by many speakers. It was reinforced by the comments of my colleague Maureen Watt, who paid tribute to the work that Dr Allan took forward, as a minister, on the one-plus-two languages policy, which continues to thrive in Scottish schools. It is an important recognition of the centrality of bilingualism in our education system that should extend to the inclusion of the Gaelic language, and I am delighted that the comhairle has taken such a bold decision to encourage the nurturing and development of the Gaelic language.

I am pleased that we have made good progress with Gaelic over recent years in key areas of education, broadcasting, arts and publishing, with a welcome impact on our economy, through jobs and skills, and through the creative industries.

The gains that have been made for the Gaelic language have been impressive and a successful Gaelic-medium education sector is operating in Scottish education. Since 2007, we have seen an increase in the number of Gaelic stand-alone schools in Scotland. In 2007, there was just one, and in 2020, there are eight, with a further two in development.

On Mr Finnie’s substantive point about Highland Council, I am engaged in dialogue with the council about its plans, in order to ensure that the resources that Government has allocated and committed to the council are used for the purpose for which they are intended, which is to expand the provision of Gaelic-medium education in the Highland Council area.

I very much welcome the commitment that has been made by a number of local authorities to support the development of Gaelic-medium education, with exciting plans for development and expansion.

It is important that we ensure that resources and support are available for teachers and pupils, and we have a dedicated body, Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, to deliver in that regard. The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 contains a duty to promote and support Gaelic-medium education. We have good structures in place to ensure that that happens through the work of bodies such as Education Scotland, Stòrlann and the comhairle itself. As the numbers in Gaelic-medium education increase, those bodies must continue to work together to ensure that good support is in place and that Gaelic-medium education is seen as good-quality education that is attractive to pupils, parents and teachers.

Rhoda Grant raised issues relating to budgets. Despite the challenging financial picture, I was delighted with the financial settlement for Gaelic that we were able to propose in the budget, with an increase in resources to support our work and the availability of new resources for development of the Gaelic language. I will set out in due course how the Government proposes to engage to take forward that activity.

As Parliament is aware, in 2018, I commenced the faster rate of progress initiative, which is a stream of work to ensure that we translate the aspirations of the Gaelic national plan, which has been developed by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and approved by the Government, into specific action on the ground across five workstreams: digital learning and media; economy and labour market; community engagement; participation, usage and learner support; and recruitment and retention of teachers in Gaelic-medium education.

On that last aspect, of course I accept unreservedly the importance of encouraging and supporting teachers to engage in the Gaelic language. There are many teachers in our education system who have command of the Gaelic language, but perhaps are not sufficiently confident to teach in it. We have to recognise the importance of supporting those individuals to make that journey. I am certain that the ambitious agenda that has been set out by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will help to advance that.

We have much to be proud of and much to support, in terms of the comhairle’s policy decision, and I commit the Government whole-heartedly to supporting that agenda.

Meeting closed at 17:48.