Soaring demand for Gaelic education can be met with new school proposals
INCREASING DEMAND for Gaelic education in Scotland’s biggest city has led to an urgent consultation on establishing a third Gaelic language school in time for the 2018-19 term.
A Glasgow Council consultation has begun on proposals to use Gowanbank Primary School campus in the south-west of the city as a renovated language school.
The consultation, which launched this week, responds to a recent “sharp increase” in enrollment for Gaelic education at the two existing Gaelic Medium Education schools in the city – Glasgow Gaelic School and Glendale Gaelic School.
Without a third campus being established, the report by executive director of education notes, the schools “will have to significantly reduce the intake in August 2018 and beyond” to maintain the current capacity of pupils over a transition across primary and secondary education.
The use of the Gowanbank campus, which becomes available from March 2018, was highlighted as a preferred option. Public meetings will be held in June and August before the end of the consultation period on 3 September.
Councillor for Pollok and Council Deputy leader David McDonald highlighted the consultation as an opportunity for parents keen to shape the expansion of Gaelic education in the city.
The Council have launched a consultation on a new Gaelic school, based in Greater Pollok. Share your views here https://t.co/7yhJUgp66c
— David McDonald (@SNPdavid) May 22, 2017
The demand for increased Gaelic education is heralded as a great success story – with a steady growth in both pupil numbers and attainment since 1999.
Education experts support bilingual teaching as a strong basis for increased attainment in young people.
Picture courtesy of jon1204pdt
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