See, hear, learn, use and love the Welsh language
Posted on Monday 27th September 2021
Newport City Council wants Welsh to become a part of everyone's lives in the city over the next 10 years as it sets forward ambitious proposals to encourage people to learn and speak the language.
Residents' views are now being sought on its 10-year vision for Welsh in education across the city.
A consultation on the draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan began on 27/09/2021 and closes on 22/11/2021
Feedback from residents will be used to shape the final draft plan before it goes to the Welsh Government for its approval.
Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: "We now have four Welsh-medium primary schools in Newport after Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenlli opened this term, and our own comprehensive school, Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, which opened in 2017. Our goal is to have even more provision over the next decade.
"However, we recognise there is still more we can do to help achieve the national target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and increase the percentage of those who use the language every day.
"We want our national language to be part of the fabric of the city, woven into every aspect of people's lives. The draft plan is the next step to making that ambition become a reality and we want to know what you think of it."
Councillor Jason Hughes, the council's Welsh language champion, said: "We want residents to be a part of this process as this will be a long-term strategy to bring Welsh into everyone's lives.
"Welsh is living, vibrant and vital and we want to ensure that all residents, whatever their age, have the opportunity to learn and speak their national tongue. Our message is to 'see, hear, learn, use and love' the language. Let us know if you think our draft plan will help us achieve that ambition."
Councillor Deborah Davies, the council's cabinet member for education, said: "The plan proposes seven key objectives and sets out where we are now, where we want to be in five years and where we want to be at the end of the plan.
"This includes increasing the number of Welsh-medium school places and staff because we recognise that our young people hold the key to the greater use of language and it is a gift they will have for the rest of their lives.
"Welsh is not just something that should be preserved and treasured as a significant part of our heritage, but something that should be nurtured so it can continue to flourish and enrich lives in the 21st century."
https://www.newport.gov.uk/en/Schools-Education/Learning-Welsh-in-Newport/Welsh-in-Education-Strategic-Plan-2022-2032.aspx