A’ brosnachadh is a’ solarachadh foghlam Gàidhlig sa Ghàidhealtachd

Chaidh aithisg mu sholar Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig agus Foghlam Gàidhlig ann an sgoiltean na Gàidhealtachd a thoirt do Bhuill Comataidh Foghlaim na Comhairle. Chuala Buill cuideachd bho dhithis sgoileir bho Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh, a bhuannaich Duais Deasbad Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig 2022, a thaobh na bha a’ Ghàidhlig a’ ciallachadh dhaibhsan.

Thuirt Cathraiche an Fhoghlaim, an Comhairliche Iain MacFhionnlaigh: “Chan fheum brosnachadh is foghlam cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig stad aig geata na sgoile. Tha foghlam Gàidhlig na phàirt cudromach de bhith a’ cur air adhart na Gàidhlig, an dà chuid sna sgìrean bailteil is dùthchail againn. Tha a’ Chomhairle a’ brosnachadh is a’ solarachadh foghlam Gàidhlig gu leantainneach agus tha dealas na Comhairle do dhleastanasan reachdail aig ìre nàiseanta a’ daingneachadh seo. Chuala sinn Beth agus Eubha a’ bruidhinn gu pongail aig a’ Chomataidh airson innse dhuinn mun t-slighe is mun t-soirbheachas aca sa Ghàidhlig agus tha seo na dheagh eisimpleir dhen diofar as urrainn do sholar FtG a dhèanamh do sgoilearan, sgoiltean is na coimhearsnachdan aca san fharsaingeachd.”

Thug Beth Chaimbeul agus Eubha Chaimbeul seachad taisbeanadh mu na bha a’ Ghàidhlig a’ ciallachadh dhaibh agus mun t-slighe ionnsachaidh aca. Dh’innis Beth gun deach a togail ann an coimhearsnachd le beairteas Gàidhlig agus gun robh cothroman fosgailte dhi tro thachartasan Gàidhlig ionadail is nàiseanta. Thogadh Eubha cuideachd ann an coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig agus chaidh i gu sgoil Ghàidhlig. Thuirt i, ged nach robhar a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig cho tric san àrd-sgoil, gun robh iomadh cothrom ann dhi tro FtG. Anns an taisbeanadh, chomharraich na Buill soirbheachas nam boireannach òga o chionn ghoirid is iad air Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Sgoiltean Gàidhlig a bhuannachadh ann an 2022.

Tha dùbhlain mu choinneimh Foghlam Gàidhlig agus tha a’ Chomhairle a’ cuideachadh gus dèiligeadh riutha. Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd air cur ri aithisg a chaidh a sgrìobhadh o chionn ghoirid le Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus a tha a’ toirt cunntas air na dùbhlain agus a’ tabhann dhòighean a dh’fhaodadh obrachadh gus fuasgladh fhaighinn orra. Chùm prìomh oifigearan còmhraidhean o chionn ghoirid le Riaghaltas na h-Alba a thaobh mar a tha a’ Chomhairle a’ dèiligeadh ris na dùbhlain seo. Tha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a’ cumail chòmhraidhean leantainneach le oileanaich a tha ag ionnsachadh teagaisg airson tuilleadh luchd-pròbhaidh a bhrosnachadh gus a’ Ghàidhealtachd a thaghadh airson na bliadhna pròbhaidh aca. Chùm a’ Chomhairle bùth-obrach cuideachd do Bhuill Thaghte le riochdachadh bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba mun Cho-chomhairleachadh air Gàidhlig agus Albais agus Bile nan Cànanan Albannach: Geallaidhean Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Bha ceistean sa Cho-chomhairle mu fhoghlam Gàidhlig.

Thèid aithisg mu fhreagairt na Comhairle dhan cho-chomhairleachadh mun Bhile a thaisbeanadh aig an ath choinneimh de Chomataidh na Gàidhlig.

Promoting and providing Gaelic education in Highland

A report on the provision of Gaelic Medium and Gaelic Education across Highland schools was presented to Members of the Council’s Education Committee. Members also heard from two Portree High School pupils, winners of the Gaelic National Debate Award 2022, on what Gaelic has meant to them.

Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “The encouragement and education of the Gaelic language and culture doesn’t have to stop at the school gate. Gaelic education is an important element in the nurturing of Gaelic in both our urban and rural areas. Our continued promotion and provision of Gaelic education is underpinned by the Council’s commitment to the statutory duties for Gaelic on a national level. Listening to Beth and Eubha speaking eloquently at Committee to share their Gaelic journey and success is an excellent example of the difference the provision of GME can make to pupils, schools, and their wider communities.”

Beth Campbell and Eubha Campbell shared a presentation of what Gaelic has meant to them and their learning journey. Beth shared her experience of growing up in a Gaelic rich community and the opportunities that were open to her through local and national Gaelic events. Eubha also grew up in a Gaelic community and attending a Gaelic school. She explained that although Gaelic isn’t as prevalently used in high school, there were many opportunities on offer to her through GME. In the presentation, Members were able to share in the young women’s recent success as the winners of the most recent Gaelic National Schools Debate 2022.

There are challenges impacting on Gaelic Education which the Council is helping to address. The Highland Council has contributed to a recent report written by Bord na Gaidhlig outlining the challenges and offering potential solutions. Senior officers recently engaged with the Scottish Government on how Highland is responding to these challenges. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and The Highland Council are engaging in ongoing discussions with teacher education students to encourage more probationers to choose Highland for their probation year.  The Council also facilitated a workshop for Elected Members with Scottish Government presentation on the Consultation on Gaelic and Scots and Scottish Languages Bill: Scottish Government commitments. The Consultation included questions on Gaelic education.

A report on the Council's response to the consultation on the Bill will be presented at the next Gaelic Committee.