£1.5 Million Pounds for Gaelic Schools in Highland
The Highland Council has welcomed the allocation from the Scottish Government of £1.5 million to allow preparation works to begin on proposed new Gaelic Medium Primary Schools at Fort William and Portree.
The investment from the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund was announced by Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell during a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis, the Gaelic Medium Primary School in Inverness, which opened in August 2007.
The Council will shortly be identifying suitable sites for the establishment of full-Gaelic schools in Portree and Fort William and this funding will allow the Council to accelerate progress on these projects.
Michael Russell said: “Earlier this month, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and I committed to taking urgent and necessary action to create a new generation of Gaelic speakers. This requires a refocusing of efforts and commitment from all parties, so I welcome the commitment made by Highland Council to increasing its provision of Gaelic-medium education.
"To create a new generation of speakers, investing in Gaelic education provision is an absolute must. Councils across Scotland have seen a huge increase in demand for Gaelic-medium places so today's allocations are vital in helping them meet that demand. We are ensuring parents and children will be able to continue to make the choice of Gaelic-medium education in the knowledge that there will be a place available."
The Minister paid tribute to the success of Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis, where the Primary 1 school intake for the new school session is a record 29 pupils, taking the primary school roll to 126. A similar intake is projected for 2010, which will take the school roll close to capacity.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic Committee, said: "The Highland Council warmly welcomes the Scottish Government's commitment to the creation a new generation of Gaelic speakers. We are delighted to receive this additional funding, which will allow us to accelerate the preparation for the building of these two new Gaelic primary schools, which are keenly awaited in Fort William and Skye."
Leader or the Council’s Administration, Councillor Michael Foxley, added: “I’m very pleased with the significant support from the Scottish Government. As Local Councillor I am very keen to progress a stand alone Gaelic PS for the greater Fort William area and look forward to securing further funding in the future.”