Why Welsh Should Be Taught In Private Schools

Like in primary schools, there are predominantly English-medium schools with significant use of Welsh, and predominantly English-medium schools. In the first case, 20-49% or subjects are taught trough Welsh, whereas in predominantly English-medium secondary schools Welsh is taught as a second language. There is also the possibility to study one or two further subjects through the medium of Welsh.

2.2.1.4 Private Schools

There is a small independent educational sector in Wales. In 2011, there were 66 private school across Wales, mainly in big towns or cities. Pupils attending private schools form about 2% of all children attending school in Wales. Concerning Welsh-medium or bilingual education, it is to say that some private schools offer

However, Welsh is only taught as second language. The only other area where the majority of private school pupils are taught Welsh is Gwynedd, with 57.5%. The next higher county is Carmarthenshire. With about 45% of pupils learning Welsh, it simultaneously is the area with the highest amount of pupils learning Welsh as first language – 3.8%. However, there are only two other counties where Welsh is taught as first language in private school, with percentages of about 1 to 2%.

In general, of about 9.000 pupils attending independent schools only 42 (0.5%) studied Welsh as first language and 1.826 (20.1%) as second language.

Furthermore, of the 17 counties in which there are private schools established, four do not even teach Welsh at all.

2.3 The Role of

When there was a demand for bilingual education, it was always coming from concerned parents, wanting the best possible education for their children. The first Welsh-medium primary school, as mentioned before, was established by Owen M. Edwards. What is worth mentioning now is that he established the school for his son, because he wanted him to be educated in Welsh. This is a striking example of the power parents have, when they are concerned about their children’s well-being. Today, there are organizations like the rhAG, the rhieni dros addysg gymraeg (parents for Welsh-medium education). On their website, they are talking about important news concerning Welsh-medium education. Moreover, the website offers “[a] map to find a local Welsh-medium school for your children, download resources to help you in your fight for Welsh-medium education locally, keep up to date with developments [...], or share your experiences with other parents on our special forum.”

As Colin Baker (author) put it:

“[W]ithout the pressure, enthusiasm, commitment and interest in bilingual education of groups of parents and teachers, it is unlikely that bilingual education would have begun or advanced like it has.”

2.4 Institutional