•  Agenda

Minutes of Meeting of the Gaelic Select Committee held in Committee Room 1, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday, 18 May 2006 at 2.00pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr H Fraser in the Chair

 

Business

 

 

 

Declarations of Interest – Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

 

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.

 

 

1. Apologies for Absence

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr R Saxon; Mrs J Urquhart; Mr J Laing and Mrs S Slimon.

 

2. Plana Canan nan Eilean Siar - Western Isles

 

Ms M Mackay, who had been involved in the development of the Western Isles Language Plan, gave a presentation to Members on how agencies in the Western Isles had collaborated to produce their local language plan.

 

The aims of their plan where threefold:

 

-           to strengthen Gaelic as a language in the family;

-           to strengthen Gaelic as a language in the community;

-           to increase the number of Gaelic Speakers in the islands; and

 

the key to do this was partnership between all involved, with the community taking a responsibility, alongside public, private, Gaelic and community organisations.

 

The plan was based on research over a three year period in the in the Western Isles with priorities identified by the islands’ communities. The first phase of the project conducted surveys across the islands residents, both local and those who had moved to the islands more recently; the second phase involved a consultation with the community, Gaelic and other bodies who provided their view on the priorities for Gaelic language and culture.

 

The research identified a variety of different issues in the communities which led to 12 strategies being identified, covering all aspects of Gaelic in the Western Isles. By dividing the plan this way, each community group or body could identify, engage with specific issues and contribute to the overall success of the plan.  The 12 strategies were:  Image and Confidence; Language Learning; Economy; Support for Education and Child Care; Heritage and Local History; Welcome; Sport; The Bodies; Culture and the Arts; Young People; Media; and Research and development. It was clear that the status of the language was inextricably linked to image and identity and, in order for Gaelic to remain as part of the natural environment in the Western Isles a combined approach looking at all aspects of Gaelic was required.

 

Members welcomed the presentation and during discussion the following points were made:

 

·        many of the issues surrounding the long term future were shared by the

     Western Isles and other Gaelic speaking areas of Scotland;

·        there was a central issue of lack of confidence;

·        the sustainability of Gaelic could not be achieved by focusing on the

     language and through education alone, but required input at community

     level as well as recognising the value of Gaelic culture and heritage;

·        the introduction and use of Gaelic media, either radio or television, would

     provide a forum for discussion and interaction across communities and age

     groups;

·        it would be useful to meet with Bord na Gàidhlig to discuss a variety of

     issues concerning Gaelic and to work with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on how

     to strengthen approaches to Gaelic language plans; and

·        central to any plan had to be a successful marketing campaign and the

     availability of funding to develop any long term initiatives.

 

The Select Committee NOTED the presentation and

 

AGREED to:

 

(i)            work with colleagues in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on how to

         strengthen approaches to Gaelic language plans, with a report on

         progress being submitted to a future Committee; and

(ii)          coordinate a meeting with Bòrd Na Gaidhlig to discuss how to

         strengthen the Gaelic language and possible funding opportunities.

 

3. Gaelic in the Home and the Community

                                                                               

There had been circulated Report GSC09/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which provided an update on progress to date with the recommendations of the Highland Council Gaelic Conference of September 2005.

 

Members were reminded of the of the recommendations of the 2005 conference which considered the implications of the advice given by the linguist Joshua Fishman who considered the Gaelic revival was too reliant on schools and that in order to sustain Gaelic, the language needed to be re-established in the home and the community. It was highlighted to Members that two research projects had emerged following the meeting, focusing on Gaelic in the home and in the community. It was hoped the projects would be completed by autumn 2006 and a report on the findings would be submitted to a future Committee.

 

The aim of the first project was to raise the critical awareness of using Gaelic in the home and family for both native speakers of Gaelic and in families where children attended a Gaelic Medium School, as well as encouraging pupils to use the language outside the classroom, through a clear marketing strategy of Gaelic. 

 

The second project would focus on Gaelic in the Community to establish an overall view of the potential to use Gaelic in the community surrounding a school with a Gaelic Medium department, and would audit the number and types of opportunities to encounter Gaelic in each location.

 

Members welcomed the proposals and concurred that more research into Gaelic language and culture was required. It was felt that there was a diverse range of issues in Gaelic communities and the sustainability of Gaelic could not be achieved through education alone.

 

As had been commented earlier, Members considered that there was an issue of lack of confidence to use Gaelic in every day life that needed to be addressed and the promotion of using Gaelic had to be delivered to adults as well as young people. Although the provision of Gaelic Medium Education (GME) was considered a separate issue to these research projects, many felt that there needed to be a continuation of the infrastructure of GME into Secondary schools to build on what is achieved at the primary level.

 

The Committee NOTED the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations of the Highland Council Gaelic Conference of September 2005; and AGREED to recommend:

 

(i)         that there be a report to a future Committee on the outcome of the research projects; and

(ii)       to approach Bòrd na Gaidhlig for funding towards more research into Gaelic.

 

4. Gaelic Teacher Supply

 

There had been circulated Report GSC10/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which updated Members on recent developments aimed at increasing the supply of Gaelic speaking teachers and other education staff in the Council.

 

Members were informed that there had been successful discussion at a seminar attended by Careers Scotland advisors and Pupil Support teachers, and that distance learning courses offered by Aberdeen and Strathclyde Universities were improving the situation. However it was also stressed to Members that nationally, the recruitment for specialist secondary teachers had been poor.

 

During discussion the following comments were made;

 

·        there needed to be encouragement for Gaelic Students to consider a

     teaching career;

·        the key to the initial training of Gaelic Teachers was thought to be Sabhal

     Mor Ostaig; however support also needed to be given to the courses

     offered by Aberdeen and Strathclyde universities. At present, the number

     of students signed up to the Strathclyde course looked promising;

·        it would be useful to co-ordinate a meeting with Bord na Gàidhlig to discuss

     the variety of issues surrounding education that have been discussed at the

     Committee, including the possibility of financial incentives to encourage

     more specialised subject Gaelic Medium Secondary Teachers;

·        Bord na Gàidhlig were in the process of recruiting an Education Officer and a

     Promotions Officer, who would co-ordinate a programme of promotional

     activities aimed at increasing the number Gaelic speaking education staff;

     and

·        it would be useful for the Committee to be informed of the curriculum

     available in secondary schools for 2006/2007.

 

The Committee NOTED the report and AGREED:

 

(i)            to approach Bòrd na Gaidhlig for funding for incentives to encourage

         more specialised subject Gaelic Medium Secondary teachers; and

(ii)          a presentation be made to a future meeting of the Committee

         detailing the available curriculum in secondary schools for 2006/2007.

 

5. Latha Mor Na Gaighlig

     

There had been circulated Report GSC11/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, giving details of the plan to hold a gathering of Gaelic speaking school pupils as part of Highland 2007. The event, to be called Latha mòr na Gàidhilg, would involve 1,000 pupils from throughout Scotland and the day’s events would involve drama workshops and other activities of a cultural and sporting nature. Funding for the event was being sought from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comunn na Gàidhilg, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland 2007.

 

Members welcomed the event, which would incorporate the idea of building the confidence of Gaelic speakers, as well as generating interest and awareness of the language amongst young people. In response to questions on turning the day into a national event, other local authorities who provide Gaelic Medium Education were involved, but it was explained that it would not be possible to provide accommodation or supervision for a single event for all Gaelic medium pupils in Scotland.  However the possibility of use of technology to connect the main event in Inverness with other satellite events that would allow a greater number of school pupils to participate was being examined.

 

The Select Committee NOTED the report and AGREED to consider combining the event into a combined, national, ‘Gaelic’ event with those who provide Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland.

 

6. Gaelic Early Years Services

 

There had been circulated Report GSC12/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, which informed Members of the Gaelic Pre-school and Childcare Plan, adopted by Committee in September 2004.  The report set out a number of development priorities for the future within the context of the current review of Early Years Services and the further development of Gaelic childcare and education provision to children and families in Highland.

 

The report detailed the availability of Gaelic childcare provision in each area for 0 to 3 year olds and 3 to 5 years olds, offered by either the Council or by the voluntary sector. The importance of early immersion into the language and the integration with other services was stressed, especially in areas where there was Gaelic Medium Education (GME) already available in Primary Schools.

 

Members commented that the Gaelic Medium nursery had been a success in Thurso but there was no primary school unit nearby to provide GME at a primary level. Similarly in other areas parents were also looking for a continuous provision of education before placing their child in GME. It was explained to Members that although a Gaelic Medium teacher post had been advertised in Thurso in the past , it had proved difficult to recruit and sustain the position.

 

During discussion it was felt that since there was support in many areas, the availability of GME should be widened. Assistance should also be given to those involved in providing Gaelic childcare and nursery care and linking this to the local Primary School where possible.

 

The Select Committee NOTED the report and AGREED to:

 

i.               look at the existing provision of Gaelic pre-school provision in Caithness; and

ii.             submit a report to a future Committee on Gaelic Childcare provision.

 

7. Update Report

 

There had been circulated Report GSC13/06 by the Gaelic Development Officer which informed Members on progress of progress as follows:

 

·        arrangements for the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages

     Conference to be held in Skye from 29 June – 1 July were almost complete,

     including plans to introduce delegates to Gaelic culture and heritage;

·        the Celtic Film and Television Association Annual Festival would take place in

     Portree from 28-31 March 2007 as part of Highland 2007 events;

·        as had been agreed at a previous Committee, a group of Gaelic speaking

     parents and children would be visiting Novia Scotia during the summer with

     the aim of encouraging the establishment of Gaelic Medium Nurseries and

     Primary School provision there. A student exchange between Cape Breton

     and Highland was also planned for the summer months;

·        there were four Gaelic Lunchtime sessions underway which were proving to

      be a success with the 49 participants;

·        there were 9 people enrolled on the  Gaelic Immersion Course run through

      Sabhal Mor Ostaig;

·        Careers Scotland had launched a Gaelic Language version of Career Box with

     the aim of delivering career education in Gaelic across schools in Scotland;

     and

·        there had been a press release concerning the work to date on establishing

      a Gaelic digital service.

 

It was also brought to Members attention that the Gaelic Place Names Liaison Committee was progressing towards establishing itself formally. The Select Committee had been invited to appoint a person to represent its views at the Gaelic Place Names Liaison committee.

 

During discussion Members commented on the prospects of holding the next Committee at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye, including a tour of the facilities. It was felt that it had to be held once the College had returned from the summer vacation and the option of holding the next Meeting during the Blas festival in early September 2006 was also considered.

 

The Committee NOTED the report and AGREED to recommend that:

 

(i)             Careers Scotland be invited to a future Committee to inform

          Members on how they are promoting Gaelic as a career choice;

(ii)             that Mr J Hutchison, Area Manager, Lochaber, be appointed to

          represent the views of the Committee on the Gaelic Place Names

          Liaison Committee, for the next year;

(iii)           discussion be continued with Broadcasting Authorities and Television

          service providers on establishing a new Gaelic Digital Channel; and

(iv)         the next meeting of the Select Committee be held at Sabhal Mor

         Ostaig on a date to be confirmed.

 

 

The meeting ended at 4:10pm.