Editor

I felt compelled to write in response to the outburst triggered by the proposed gradual fading out of the English language stream at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen,Machynlleth, because it is not only a local issue, but relates to much bigger issues. Ultimately, it relates to a matter of equality concerning equal access to learning Welsh, and the detrimental impact on pupils and wider society,caused by the deficiencies of the current education system when it comes to teaching Welsh.

Firstly, what’s so bad about having a school that enables pupils to become fluent in two languages?Including the native language of their own country at that! It’s tragic that there are still people who fight against schools that aim to teach all of their pupils to become fluent in the language of their own country, and who would prefer them to teach the language to an inferior standard to some of the pupils.

It is often argued that the language of a child’s education is a matter of personal choice, but if given the choice, why should parents want to (and be allowed to) choose to needlessly hinder the full flourishing and future prospects of their child, whilst also causing wider cultural harm and societal division?

Children in English language education, not becoming fully fluent in Welsh (if not coming from Welsh-speaking households or backgrounds), are alienated from their own culture, communities, and history, face reduced future employment prospects in their own country, and in turn further endanger the survival of the Welsh language - a threatened language.

School is the ideal place for children from non-Welsh speaking households to learn the language of their own country to fluency level in a natural, almost effortless way, and for free. It is far better than attending paid classes later in life, when language acquisition is much harder, as many would attest.

It is also a great place to continue the work of attempting to reverse centuries of attempts to eradicate our language, and is rightly an essential part of the Government’s strategy to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Cyngor Sir Powys should be applauded, not attacked, for attempting to put right the shameful inequality of some pupils receiving an education which leaves them linguistically, culturally, socially, and often economically and emotionally poorer than their fully bilingual peers.

The Welsh language is for everybody. It is something to celebrate and enjoy, and nobody should be denied access to learning it to fluency level at school.

Name and address withheld

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