Scottish Government Gaelic schools plan highlighted by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes during Inverness visit
Parents across Scotland will be able to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area as part of new legislation plans highlighted in Inverness.
The Scottish Government’s plan is part of ongoing efforts to try to boost Gaelic’s use across the country.
Under the plans, councils would be expected to assess if parent requests were “practical and affordable”. After taking advice, ministers might then direct those local authorities to proceed with the establishment of a new Gaelic school if the council's assessment considers it to be viable.
Other provisions of the new Scottish Languages Bill would include the introduction of educational standards for Gaelic and Scots, and the establishment of Gaelic and Scots as official languages.
The bill would also seek to support the creation of areas of “linguistic significance” within Gaelic communities so that ministers can “better target policies to support the language’s growth”.
And it would also enable parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who is also cabinet secretary for economy and Gaelic, set out the measures on a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary School).
She was joined by Scotland’s first Gaelic speaking national poet, Dr Peter Mackay, who is also known as the Makar. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary year of Gaelic medium education in Scotland.
Ms Forbes said: “This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic’s continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic speakers and learners across Scotland. It would boost Gaelic education provision throughout Scotland and better establish Gaelic and Scots as national languages.
“Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money. Gaelic medium schools frequently demonstrate above average performance with some local authorities showing better grades across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than English medium schools.
“To support the growth of Scotland’s indigenous languages, we are also providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scots and Gaelic this year.”
Dr Mackay said: “It’s fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium education over the last 40 years: it’s something we should be very proud of.
"It’s vital that there’s ongoing support to maintain and develop Gaelic as a community language in the Highlands and Islands and to give people all over the country every chance to learn and speak it – and also to encourage Scots speakers and communities across Scotland."
Stage 3 of the Scottish Languages Bill is expected to be considered by MSPs on June 17.
Census statistics show that 130,161 people in Scotland had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 43,105 people from 2011. The census shows that 2,444,659 people in Scotland had some Scots skills in 2022, an increase of 515,215 from 2011.
The latest version of the Scottish Languages Bill is available online.
