Increase in Highland pupils achieving Gaelic exams
The number of pupils achieving Gaelic qualifications in Highland schools is on the increase.
Overall, 197 pupils in Highland achieved a National Five, Higher or Advanced Higher Gaelic qualification this year – an increase of 25 from the 2024 total.
This year 60 pupils achieved Higher Gaelic, up from 42 in 2024.
Of those 60 pupils, 40 sat the paper for Gaelic medium pupils, and 20 for Gaelic learners.
2025 also saw a significant increase in the number of Gaelic learners achieving a National Five qualification – 74 in 2025 as opposed to 55 in 2024.
Chairman of Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, Cllr Drew Millar, said: “Congratulations to all the young people who achieved passes in their Gaelic exams, as well as to their committed teachers for helping them along the way.
“The increase in the number of passes is very encouraging to see.”
The statistics were presented before members of Highland Council’s Gaelic committee on Wednesday (27 August).
The council recently welcomed six new probationer teachers to various Gaelic posts across Highland and they were wished well in their first year of teaching.
The council’s Gaelic language plan includes a strategic priority to deliver continued promotion and growth in both Gaelic medium education (where pupils receive the bulk of their general education through the language) and for Gaelic learner education (where the language is introduced to pupils who are otherwise taught in English language settings.)
Committee members also voiced their good wishes towards all involved with the forthcoming Blas festival, as well to as all competitors and organisers for the Royal National Mod, which takes place in Lochaber in October.
GAELIC EXAM RESULTS
|
Gaelic Medium Education (GME) |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Nat 5 |
57 |
49 |
|
Higher |
28 |
40 |
|
Adv High |
13 |
11 |
|
Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Nat 5 |
55 |
74 |
|
Higher |
14 |
20 |
|
Adv High |
5 |
3 |
The reports which came before the Gaelic committee can be found here.
***
Àrdachadh san àireimh sgoilearan sa Ghàidhealtachd a tha a’ soirbheachadh ann an deuchainnean Gàidhlig
Tha an àireamh de sgoilearan ann an sgoiltean na Gàidhealtachd a tha a’ coileanadh teisteanasan Gàidhlig ag àrdachadh.
Gu h-iomlan, choilean 197 sgoilear anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd teisteanas Nàiseanta Còig, Àrd-Ìre no Àrd-Ìre Adhartach am-bliadhna – àrdachadh de 25 bho iomlan 2024.
Am-bliadhna choilean 60 sgoilear Gàidhlig Àrd-Ìre, suas bho 42 ann an 2024.
Dhen 60 sgoilear seo, shuidh 40 am pàipear do sgoilearan Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig, agus shuidh 20 am pàipear do sgoilearan Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig.
Ann an 2025, bha àrdachadh susbainteach cuideachd san àireimh de luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig a bha a’ coileanadh teisteanas Nàiseanta Còig – 74 ann an 2025 an coimeas ri 55 ann an 2024.
Thuirt Cathraiche Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd, an Comhairliche Drew Mac a’ Mhuilleir: “Meal an naidheachd air na daoine òga air fad a shoirbhich sna deuchainnean Gàidhlig aca, agus air na tidsearan dìcheallach a chuidich iad air an t-slighe.
“Tha e misneachail dha-rìribh a bhith a’ faicinn àrdachadh san àireimh a shoirbhich.”
Chaidh an staitistearachd a thoirt fa chomhair nam ball aig Comataidh Gàidhlig Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd Diciadain (27 Lùnastal).
Chuir a’ Chomhairle fàilte o chionn ghoirid air sianar thidsearan probhaidh gu diofar dhreuchdan Gàidhlig air feadh na Gàidhealtachd agus chaidh gach soirbheachas a ghuidhe dhaibh sa chiad bhliadhna aca a’ teagasg.
Tha Plana Gàidhlig na Comhairle a’ gabhail a-steach prìomhachas ro-innleachdail gun tèid leantainn air adhart a’ lìbhrigeadh brosnachadh is fàs, an dà chuid ann am Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig (far a bheil clann a’ faighinn na mòr-chuid dhen fhoghlam choitcheann aca tron chànan) agus ann am Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig (far a bheil sgoilearan a’ cur eòlas air a’ chànan ach far a bheil am foghlam coitcheann aca sa Bheurla.)
Chuir buill na Comataidh deagh dhùrachdan gu gach neach a bhios an sàs ann am Fèis Bhlas a bha gu bhith ann a dh’aithghearr, agus gu na farpaisich is an luchd-eagrachaidh uile a bhios an lùib a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail, a thèid a chumail ann an Loch Abar san Dàmhair.
TORAIDHEAN NAN DEUCHAINNEAN GÀIDHLIG
|
Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig (FtG) |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Nàiseanta 5 |
57 |
49 |
|
Àrd-Ìre |
28 |
40 |
|
Àrd-Ìre Adhartach |
13 |
11 |
|
Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig (FLI) |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Nàiseanta 5 |
55 |
74 |
|
Àrd-Ìre |
14 |
20 |
|
Àrd-Ìre Adhartach |
5 |
3 |
Chithear na h-aithisgean a chaidh fa chomhair Comataidh na Gàidhlig an seo.