Category: Consultations

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on the Provisions of the Education Bill. Amongst points raised, we said:

Schools must be supported to provide a breadth of opportunities in GME [Gaelic Medium Education]. Those who have benefited from GME in Early Years and Primary Settings should not have to lose Gaelic as their main language of instruction to study another subject and participate in other learning experiences in Senior Phase.

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Glasgow City Council consultation on the Glasgow City Centre Strategy 2024 – 2030. Amongst points raised, we said:

“Increased use and visibility of Gaelic within Glasgow city centre would increase wellbeing for Gaelic users, learners, and supporters – who have great pride in the language and culture.”

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Highland Council consultation on GME catchment areas for Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Inverness Royal Academy, Dingwall Primary School, Dingwall Academy, Millbank Primary School and Nairn Academy. Amongst points raised, we said:

Bòrd na Gàidhlig recognises the complexity of provision in the listed [Associated School Groups] and commends the work officers have done to find solutions to a wide range of challenges. Bòrd na Gàidhlig recommends that whatever the outcome of decision-making regarding catchments, a publicity initiative is developed so that parents can easily understand where their GME service is located and how they might access transport support.

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on the delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education in Scottish schools. Amongst points raised, we said:

There is no reference to the Gaelic language in the updated draft guidance. To cater for Gaelic medium school children the guidance and related resources need to be made available in Gaelic and include up-to-date terminology.

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig have submitted a response to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s public consultation: Draft Corporate Strategy 2024-27. Amongst the points raised were:

“The Comhairle’s Gaelic Policy, Corporate Strategy 2022-27 and Gaelic Language Plan promote and support the use, learning and promotion of Gaelic in the Western Isles. As the Gaelic Policy and Corporate Strategy state, respectively;

The Western Isles should be a fundamentally bilingual community, on which Gaelic and English have equal validity as languages of communication.

The Comhairle, in partnership, is committed to creating a sustainable future for Gaelic language and culture in the Outer Hebrides and to ensuring that the Outer Hebrides are recognised and continue to be supported by national organisations for their contribution in support of Gaelic, linguistically and economically.”

You can read the full response here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament’s public consultation on Healthcare in Remote and Rural Areas. Amongst the points raised, we said:

The Strategy should also set out how its actions will contribute to sustaining and developing the Gaelic language. The National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in Scotland makes no reference to Gaelic. That is despite two Health Boards – NHS Western Isles and NHS Highland – having Gaelic Language Plans.

Good healthcare provision in remote and rural areas will help to attract and retain Gaelic speakers. Thus, it will contribute to the viability of the language.

That is in a context where population levels are already declining in many remote and rural locations. Loss of population in areas with Gaelic speakers due to inadequate healthcare provision could have a significant negative impact on the language.

If Gaelic users move elsewhere this would have two impacts. First, a reduction in the number of Gaelic speakers in the affected area. Second, affected households may move to an area where Gaelic is much less used, and over time, they may no longer regularly use the language – or may lose it altogether.

The result would be a reduction in the use of Gaelic. That would run counter to the National Gaelic Language Plan’s aim that the language “is used more often, by more people”.

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on the National Islands Plan Review.  Amongst points raised, we said:

Having a National Islands Plan is very helpful. We particularly welcome its statement that “the Scottish Government recognises the importance of the Gaelic language to many island communities, and the importance of the Gaelic speaking island communities to the survival and sustainability of Gaelic in Scotland”.

It is very useful that Gaelic is referred to within most of the Plan’s Strategic Objectives rather than being treated as a stand-alone issue. This has provided an avenue for Bòrd na Gàidhlig to participate – and raise the profile of Gaelic – in organisations such as the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership and the Islands Deal Advisory Forum.

The full response can be accessed here.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s public consultation on: A Human Rights Bill for Scotland.  Among the points raised, we said:

Scottish Gaelic is a minority, indigenous language of Scotland, and has been spoken in the country for over twelve centuries. Its decline can be directly linked to 400 years of legislation designed to extirpate it from Scottish society. Recognition of indigenous minority language rights in the Human Rights Bill for Scotland is essesntial in re-establishing the language in its homeland.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig are responding to this consultation because we wish to see greater clarity on the proposed Bill’s implications for the Gaelic language.

The full response can be accessed here.