Publication of Draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-32

CEREDIGION’S draft document ‘Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-32’ plans for the Welsh language over the next 10 years.

The Welsh Government’s long-term aim is to ensure that there are a million speakers across Wales, by the year 2050. Each Education Authority’s 2022-32 Welsh in Education Strategic Plan contributes to this vision.

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires public bodies across Wales named in the act to work towards achieving seven well-being goals, including ‘a Wales with a vibrant culture where the Welsh language thrives’. The Welsh Government has a duty to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language and to work towards achieving well-being goals.

In September 2022, the Curriculum for Wales will become statutory in Welsh schools and one aim, in line with the Four Purposes, is to ensure that “all our children and young people will be ambitious, capable learners who can communicate effectively in different forms and settings, using both Welsh and English.”

It is a requirement of a local authority such as Ceredigion to plan Welsh-medium education provision in order to contribute to meeting the expectation of the growth of Welsh-medium education, now and in the future.

There are specific targets in the draft Ceredigion Welsh in Education Strategic plan for increasing the percentage of 5-year-olds in Welsh-medium education. One of the main aims is to ensure that pupils receive an excellent foundation in speaking and communicating in Welsh, increasing their choices and confidence for the future. It is emphasised that any developments noted in the document will not apply to primary-age children currently attending any school.

In order to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to learn Welsh, Ceredigion Council will consult fully with all relevant stakeholders and partners throughout the process.

The draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan will initially be discussed at Ceredigion Council’s Language Committee on Monday 17 May. The Cabinet will need to give approval for a final draft to be subject to public consultation, which would commence in October 2021 for 8 weeks. The final decision regarding whether to adopt and implement the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022-2032 will be made by Council following the public consultation.