MSPs are to debate the comhairle’s plans to develop of Gaelic medium education in the Western Isles.
It follows recent changes so new P1 pupils are automatically enrolled into Gaelic medium education (GME) where lessons are taught through the language.
But Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Liz Smith attacked the “deeply troubling step, maintaining it puts children at a “distinct disadvantage.”
Gaelic should not be encouraged “at the expense of English,” she told the Scotsman newspaper.
Now isles’ MSP Alasdair Allan has secured parliamentary debate on Tuesday.
Mr Allan’s motion welcomes the comhairle decision to have Gaelic as the default choice, highlighting the percentage of children entering GME in the islands has steadily increased over the last decade.
He commends the council for taking what it sees as this progressive step to consolidate the national language in its heartland communities
Academics and researchers “overwhelming” support the cognitive benefits of bilingual education.
An Edinburgh University study outlined GME pupils, on a whole, outperform their English medium peers in English reading by P5.
Scottish Parliament to debate Gaelic medium education in the Western Isles
16 February 2020
