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Foghlam Alba: Freagairt ri Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig 2023-2028

Co-chomhairleachadh Poblach (A’ dùnadh 26 Iuchair 2022)

Freagairt tro phost-d: plana@astarmedia.scot

Ceist Co-chomhairleachaidh a h-Aon
A bheil thu den bheachd gu bheil am measgachadh as fheàrr de àrd-amasan, targaidean, amasan agus raointean obrach agus gnìomhan airson na Gàidhlig san dreachd Plana aig an àm seo, is mur a h-eil, dè bheireadh piseach air seo?

1.1 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ cur fàilte air foillseachadh dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig 2023-2028, agus an cothrom buaidh a thoirt air an dreachd dheireannach den phlana. Ann a bhith a’ dèanamh seo, tha sinn a’ tarraing air raon de dh’fhianais, a’ gabhail a-steach fianais Luchd sgrùdaidh Foghlaim na Bànrigh.

1.2 Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh gu bheil Gàidhlig a’ sìor fhàs mar raon foghlaim ann an Alba. Tha sinn air fianais a thogail air leasachaidhean cudromach air an t-siostam thairis air an ùine planaidh a tha a’ tighinn gu crìoch. Tha sinn a’ cur fàilte air leasachadh na Gàidhlig ann an sgoiltean, barrachd cleachdadh teicneòlais airson ionnsachadh tron Ghàidhlig a lìbhrigeadh, reachdas ùr air an achdachadh agus tuigse nas fheàrr mu dheidhinn bogadh sa chànan. Tha barrachd inbhich ag ionnsachadh a’ cànain. Tha Luchd-sgrùdaidh na Banrigh a’ togail gu sònraichte, nuair a tha iad ag aithris air sgoiltean agus suidheachaidhean, an dealas làidir a th’ aig luchd-obrach ann a bhith a’ co-obrachadh airson Foghlam Meadhan Gàidhlig agus Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig a leasachadh agus a chur air adhart.

1.3 Ann am Facal-toisich ar Plana Gàidhlig, 2022-27, tha Àrd-Neach-Sgrùdaidh na Bànrigh a’ toirt iomradh air na dùbhlain cruinneil nach eil sinn air fhaicinn roimhe a tha mu choinneamh ar siostaman foghlaim mar thoradh air COVID-19. Mar dhùthaich tha sinn a’ dèanamh atharrachaidhean sònraichte air an dòigh a tha sinn a’ tighinn beò, ag obair agus ag ionnsachadh. Tha Àrd-Neach-Sgrùdaidh na Bànrigh a’ moladh gu bheil barrachd co-obrachadh a’ tachairt eadar a h-uile com-pàirtiche airson taic a thoirt do luchd-ionnsachaidh am fileantachd agus am buileachadh sa Ghàidhlig a chumail suas. Tha i gu sònraichte ag iomradh air a’ chomas a bhith ‘a’ togail air adhart’ bhon ghalair-sgaoilte airson gabhail ri dòighean-obrach a leasaicheas ìre cleachdaidh airson Foghlam Meadhan Gàidhlig agus Gàidhlig (Luchd-ionnsachaidh) a tha adhartach agus aig àrd ìre de chàileachd. Tha fianais Luchd-sgrùdaidh na Banrigh a’ sealltainn gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig na cànan ann an cunnart, agus tha planadh nàiseanta buadhmhor a dhìth airson comhair a’ chànain a stiùireadh.

1.4 Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air gabhail san fharsaingeachd ris a h-uile moladh a bh’ aig an Àrd Oll. Muir san aithisg aige o chionn ghoirid, ‘Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education.’ Tha an aithisg seo a’ dèanamh iomradh air a bhith ‘a’ cur an gleus’ poileasaidh agus cleachdadh na bu dlùithe ri Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhilg agus a bhith a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil ‘inbhe cho-ionnann air a thoirt do na guthan nach cluinnear mar bu trice, mar eisimpleir, iadsan a tha bho dhiofar bhuidhnean-creideamh, coimhearsnachdan mhion shluaigh eitnigeach agus coimhearsnachdan na Gàidhlig.’’ Tha seo cuideachd ag aontachadh ri Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005 a tha ag iarraidh ‘spèis cho-ionnann’ airson na Gàidhlig. Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh gu bheil dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig a’ cur a-mach farsaingeachd de mhiannan-adhartais, targaidean, amasan, raointean gnìomhachais agus gnìomhan airson na Gàidhlig. Chan eil an dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig buileach cho soilleir air an dòigh anns an tèid na h-àrd-amasan, targaidean agus amasan a chur an gnìomh, agus cò bhios an urra ri seo a dhèanamh. Airson gum bi buaidh nas motha ann, bhiodh e cudromach na dleastanasan agus sgèilean-ama airson nan amasan a thèid aontachadh a chur an gnìomh a dhèanamh nas soilleire. Chuidicheadh seo airson an ìre atharrachaidh agus leasachaidh a chumail a’ dol, agus a dhèanamh nas luaithe ann an cuid de dh’àiteachan.

1.5 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ cur fàilte air an ìre san do ghabh daoine òga pàirt anns a’ cho chomhairleachadh air dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig. Tha e cudromach gu bheil an dealas a th’ aig daoine òga air a ghlacadh a’ dol air adhart ann a bhith a’ cur am plana an gnìomh agus a’ cumail suas Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd.

Ceist Co-chomhairleachaidh a Dhà
Tha farsaingeachd àrd-amasan agus thargaidean a’ stiùireadh a’ Phlana. A bheil thu den
bheachd gu bheil na h-àrd-amasan agus targaidean iomchaidh, no a bheil molaidhean agad airson feadhainn eile?

2.1 Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh gu bheil farsaingeachd àrd-amasan agus thargaidean a’ stiùireadh na Gàidhlig anns an dreachd Phlana. Bidh e cudromach gu bheil an stiùir seo ag aithneachadh ath-leasachadh foghlaim agus an dòigh as urrainnear Gàidhlig a dhìon agus a dhèanamh nas làidire tro thoraidhean nan ath-leasachaidhean seo, agus mar thoradh orra.

2.2 Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh gu bheil Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig a’ buntainn do dh’Alba. Ach, tha Foghlam Alba a’ moladh gum bu chòir dha a bhith nas soilleire far a bheil dleastanasan, riaghladh agus cunntachalachd a’ dol a bhith.

2.3 Tha iomadh àrd-amas agus targaid ann an dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig airson curraicealam na h-Alba airson na Gàidhlig. Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh gu bheil cùisean air a bhith soirbheachail gu ruige seo ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh curraicealam. Tha seo a’ gabhail a-steach na buaidh ciallaich a tha air a bhith ann bhon mhìneachadh air toraidhean sgrùdaidh san sgrìobhainn ‘Comhairle mu Fhoghlam Gàidhlig’ mu dheidhinn bogadh, agus adhbhar, dealbhadh agus lèirsinn a’ churraicealaim. Tha sinn air fianais a shealltainn gu bheil barrachd tuigse aig luchd-teagaisg agus luchd-cleachdaidh mu dheidhinn dòighean-obrach a thaobh bogadh. Tha barrachd chleachdaidhean air an co-roinneadh le Foghlam Alba mu dheidhinn mar a tha sgoiltean a’ leasachadh a’ churraicealaim airson agus mu dheidhinn na Gàidhlig. Tha toraidhean sgrùdaidh tric a’ sealltainn nan dùbhlan agus cnapan-starra a tha fhathast anns an rathad air a bhith a’ toirt seachad curraicealam a tha cunbhalach agus aig àrd-ìre de chàileachd. Tha sinn a’ moladh gum biodh e nas fheàrr nam biodh na targaidean airson leasachadh na Gàidhlig sa churraicealam nas soilleire agus stèidhichte air fianais. Bu chòir gun gabh seo a-steach dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil solar tràth-ionnsachadh agus cùram chloinne ri fhaighinn dhan h-uile duine a’ tòiseachadh ann am Foghlam Meadhan Gàidhlig agus leasachaidhean ann an solar àrd-sgoile. Bu chòir gun tèid seo a thoirt air adhart an urra ri poileasaidh airson cothromas, sàr-mhathas agus cumhachdachadh.

2.4 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ cur fàilte air na h-àrd-amasan agus targaidean airson Gàidhlig (Luchd ionnsachaidh) mar phàirt de Mhodh-obrach 1+2 airson Cànain. Tha sinn a’ moladh gun tèid Gàidhlig (Luchd-ionnsachaidh) a chur air adhart a ghnàth mar a’ chiad chànan a bharrachd (L2) bho BS1 air adhart gu àrd-ìre agus nas fhaide. Tha sinn a’ faireachdainn nach eil cuid de na h iomraidhean ri Gàidhlig (Luchd-ionnsachaidh) mar L3 idir ag aithneachadh gu leòr na toraidhean a dh’fhaodadh a bhith ann airson leantainneachd a-steach gu àrd-ìre, agus aig a’ cheann thall ann a bhith a’ coileanadh thargaidean airson planadh nàiseanta airson na Gàidhlig. Feumaidh daoine òga barrachd taic mu dheidhinn slighean ionnsachaidh às dèidh dhaibh an sgoil fhàgail mar luchd riaghlaidh air am fileantachd fhèin, agus a-steach gu cinn-uidhe soirbheachail airson barrachd ionnsachaidh, trèanadh agus obair.

2.5 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ cur fàilte air an àrd-amas gum bi barrachd ùghdarrasan poblach a’ cruthachadh Phlanaichean Gàidhlig. Dh’fhaodadh seo toraidhean a leasachadh airson luchd ionnsachaidh ma thèid na h-ùghdarrasan poblach a thaghadh ann an dòigh a tha air an deagh bhreithneachadh. Tha Foghlam Alba a’ moladh gum bu chòir beachdachadh air Plana Gàidhlig a bhith aig a h-uile buidheann-gnìomha nàiseanta, mar thoradh air ath-leasachaidhean foghlaim, agus a h-uile buidheann-sgrùdaidh a thèid a chruthachadh.

2.6 Tha Luchd-sgrùdaidh na Banrigh, ann a bhith a’ toirt air adhart dreuchdan airson Achd an Fhoghlaim (Alba) 2016 agus Achd nan Sgoiltean (Co-chomhairleachadh) (Alba) 2010, ag aithneachadh gu bheil feum aig ùghdarrasan ionadail air barrachd taic, dùbhlan agus sgrùdadh airson dèanamh cinnteach gum bi fàs ann bliadhna-air-bliadhna ann am Foghlam Meadhan Gàidhlig agus Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig. Tha fianais againn a’ sealltainn gu bheil buaidh aig corra chùis air cho soirbheachail ’s a tha e a bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh na Gàidhlig thairis air ùghdarrasan ionadail aig an àm seo. Tha iad seo a’ gabhail a-steach coileanadh iarrtas bho phàrantan airson Gàidhlig agus trusadh luchd-obrach airson sgoiltean airson Foghlam Meadhan Gàidhlig a lìbhrigeadh. San sgrìobhainn chuspaireil nàiseanta againn o chionn ghoirid ‘Dòighean obrach Ionadail airson Ath-shlànachadh’ thog sinn gu h-àraid air a’ bhuaidh a th’ aig gainnead thidsearan agus luchd-obrach taice. Tha seo a’ gabhail a-steach mar a thèid bacadh a chur air àrd-cheannardan ann a bhith a’ cleachdadh maoineachadh gus barrachd luchd-obrach fhastadh airson taic a chumail ri ath-shlànachadh. Tha ùghdarrasan ionadail feumach air barrachd taic leis na cùisean bunaiteach seo agus iarrtas airson Foghlam Meadhan Gàidhlig a’ sìor fhàs.

2.7 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ cur fàilte air an targaid airson an àireamh de sgoiltean Gàidhlig àrdachadh. Le bhith a’ toirt air adhart dreuchdan airson Achd an Fhoghlaim (Alba) 2016 agus Achd nan Sgoiltean (Co-chomhairleachadh) (Alba) 2010, tha sinn den bheachd gum feum am pròiseas gus sgoiltean Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh a bhith nas siostamataigeach agus soilleir, air a lìbhrigeadh aig ìre nas luaithe.

2.8 Tha an dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig ag aithneachadh, gu ceart, gum bu chòir dhan phrògram sgrùdaidh nàiseanta a bhith a’ dearbhadh gu soilleir far a bheil adhartas a’ tachairt agus far a bheil barrachd leasachaidh a dhìth. Tha Foghlam Alba a’ moladh gum bu chòir na briathran seo aithneachadh gu bheil na sgrùdaidhean againn a’ leantail orra air seo a dhèanamh, leis na tha Luchd-sgrùdaidh na Banrigh air cur ris an amas seo gu ruige seo. Cuideachd, bu chòir beachdachadh air an gnìomh seo a chur air buidhnean sgrùdaidh eile ann an Alba, mar a tha freagarrach ri farsaingeachd nan àrd-amasan a th’ ann am Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.

Ceist Co-chomhairleachaidh a Trì
Tha grunn ghnìomhan ann a thaobh gach raon obrach. A bheil thu a’ smaoineachadh gum bu chòir amasan sònraichte a bhith ceangailte ris na gnìomhan agus ma tha, bhiodh fàilte air na molaidhean agad air dè bu chòir a bhith ann?

3.1 Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh gu bheil corra raon obrach a tha sinn a’ stiùireadh gu soirbheachail. Tha sinn ag iarraidh soilleireachd air ciamar a thèid na gnìomhan anns a’ phlana a bhuileachadh agus cò bhios an urra ri seo a dhèanamh.

3.2 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ cur fàilte air a’ phrìomhachas a tha air a chur air fastadh agus cumail luchd-obrach aig an ìre as àirde airson foghlam Gàidhlig ann an dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig. (Faicibh ar freagairt ann am paragraf 2.6.) Feumaidh barrachd fòcas a bhith air taic airson clann aig a bheil feumalachdan taic a bharrachd.

3.3 Chan eil am briathrachas ‘sgoil’ mar raon-obrach ag aithneachadh am farsaingeachd de raointean anns a bheil ionnsachadh 3-18 a’ tachairt.

Ceist Co-chomhairleachaidh a Ceithir
Tha dòigh-obrach fharsaing agus in-ghabhalach sa Phlana a thaobh brosnachadh agus taic dhan Ghàidhlig. A bheil thu a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil dòigh-obrach fharsaing ceart airson na Gàidhlig aig an àm seo?

4.1 Tha Foghlam Alba air aithneachadh gu sònraichte corra raon cudromach far a bheil ro innleachd làidir, shònraichte a dhìth airson gum bi atharrachadh agus leasachadh seasmhach ann dhan Ghàidhlig. Tha sinn ag aithneachadh an luach a th’ air co-obrachadh agus a’ moladh gun tèid seo a chur air adhart ann a bhith a’ buileachadh a’ phlana. Tha Foghlam Alba a’ coimhead air adhart ris an targaid againn a bhuileachadh airson buidheann-obrach a stèidheachadh airson Foghlam Gàidhlig thairis air a h-uile caidreachas leasachaidh ionadail (RIC).

4.2 Tha Foghlam Alba ag aithneachadh nan dùbhlan a th’ ann leis nach eil ceangal eadar an ùine planaidh fad còig bliadhna airson Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig agus an t-sùbailteachd a thaobh ùine a th’ ann airson Planaichean Gàidhlig aig buidhnean fa leth.

Ceist Co-chomhairleachaidh a Còig
Tha am Plana airson ’s gum bi a’ Ghàidhlig nas tarraingiche do dhaoine fa leth agus do theaghlaichean agus gum faicear barrachd misneachd ann an cleachdadh na Gàidhlig. Dè eile a dh’fhaodadh cuideachadh le seo nad bheachd?

5.1 ’S e pàirt chudromach a tha seo ann a bhith a’ cumail suas a’ chànain. Feumaidh dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig a bhith gu math nas soilleire mu dheidhinn ciamar a thèid na toraidhean amail a choileanadh agus cò bhios an urra ri seo a dhèanamh.

Ceist Co-chomhairleachaidh a Sia
Dè eile nad bheachd a dhèanadh cinnteach gum biodh a’ Ghàidhlig soirbheachail ann an Alba san àm ri teachd?

6.1 Tha Foghlam Alba air iomradh a thoirt airson taic a chur ri seo tron fhreagairt againn air fad. Bhithinn airson a ràdh gu sònraichte cho cudromach ’s a tha fastadh deagh luchd-obrach agus curraicealam fad-bheatha a tha a’ glacadh farsaingeachd ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig agus tron Ghàidhlig uile gu lèir.

6.2 Tha Foghlam Alba a’ coimhead air adhart ri tuilleadh co-obrachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus com-pàirtichean eile, air ar freagairt ris an dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.

ENGLISH VERSION OF CONSULTATION RESPONSE

Education Scotland Response to the National Gaelic Language Plan, 2023-2028

Public Consultation (Closes 26 July 2022)

Response by e-mail: plana@astarmedia.scot

Consultation Question One
Do you think the draft Plan contains the optimum mix of ambitions, targets, aims, areas of activity and actions for Gaelic at this time or what would improve this?

1.1 Education Scotland welcomes the publication of the draft National Gaelic Language Plan, 2023-2028 and the opportunity to influence the final version of the plan. In so doing, we draw on a range of evidence, including that of HM Inspectors of Education.

1.2 Education Scotland recognises that Gaelic is a growing sector of Scottish education. We have evidenced important system improvements during the planning period we conclude. There is a welcome expansion of Gaelic in schools, more use of technology for delivering learning in and through Gaelic, enactment of new legislation and a better understanding of immersion. More adults are learning the language. HM Inspectors highlight, when reporting on schools and settings, staff’s strong commitment to working collaboratively in developing and promoting Gaelic Medium Education and Gaelic Learner Education.

1.3 In the foreword of our Gaelic Language Plan, 2022 -27, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector refers to the unprecedented global challenges to our education systems as a result of COVID-19. As a nation we are making significant adjustments to the way we live, work and learn. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector commends the increased collaboration among all partners to support learners in sustaining their fluency and attainment in the Gaelic language. She highlights the potential in ‘building forward’ from the pandemic to adopt approaches that increase uptake for progressive and high-quality Gaelic Medium Education and Gaelic (Learners). HM Inspectors evidence that Gaelic is a fragile, endangered language, for which impactful national planning is essential in guiding direction for Gaelic.

1.4 The Scottish Government has broadly accepted all of Professor Muir’s recommendations in his recent report, ‘Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education.’ This report refers to ‘attuning’ policy and practice more closely to the aims and objectives of the National Plan for Gaelic and ensuring ‘equal status being given to the voices of those most often unheard, for example, those from different denominations and minority ethnic and Gaelic communities.’ This also chimes with the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 that requires ‘equal respect' for Gaelic. Education Scotland recognises that the draft National Gaelic Language Plan outlines a good range of ambitions, targets, aims, areas of activity and actions for Gaelic. The draft National Gaelic Language Plan is less clear on how and by whom these ambitions, targets, aims will be implemented. To increase impact, it would be important to clarify responsibilities and timescales for implementation of agreed actions. This would assist in maintaining, and in some cases, increasing the pace of change and improvement.

1.5 Education Scotland welcomes how well young people participated in the consultation on the draft National Gaelic Language Plan. It is essential that young people’s enthusiasm continues to be harnessed in implementing the plan and sustaining the future of Gaelic.

Consultation Question Two
There are a range of ambitions and targets which set the direction of the Plan. Do you think these are the appropriate ambitions and targets or do you have suggestions for others?

2.1 Education Scotland recognises that a range of ambitions and targets set a direction for Gaelic in the draft plan. It will be important that the direction is cognisant of education reform and how Gaelic can be protected and strengthened during, and as a result, of the outcomes of reform.

2.2 Education Scotland recognises that the National Gaelic Language belongs to Scotland. However, Education Scotland suggests that there is a need for much clearer identification of responsibilities, governance and accountability.

2.3 There are a number of ambitions and targets in the draft National Gaelic Language for Scotland’s curriculum for Gaelic. Education Scotland acknowledges the successes thus far in curriculum making. This includes the significant impact from articulating inspection findings in the ‘Advice on Gaelic Education’ on immersion, and curriculum rationale, design and vision. We evidence that teachers and practitioners have an improved understanding of approaches to immersion. Education Scotland is increasing our sharing of practice in how schools are developing the curriculum for and in Gaelic. Inspections findings regularly highlight continuing challenges and barriers to providing a consistent, high-quality curriculum. We suggest that more tangible and evidence-based targets for developing Gaelic in the curriculum would be desirable. This should
include ensuring that early learning and childcare provision is available to all on commencing Gaelic Medium Education and improvements in secondary provision. This should be taken forward in line with policy for equity, excellence and empowerment.

2.4 Education Scotland welcomes the ambitions and targets for Gaelic (Learners) as part of a 1+2 Approach to Languages. We recommend that Gaelic (Learners) is always promoted as the first additional language (L2) from at least P1 into the senior phase and beyond. We find that some references to Gaelic (Learners) as L3 are not sufficiently cognisant of potential implications for continuity into senior phase, and ultimately in meeting targets for national planning for Gaelic. Young people need more support on pathways beyond school as leaders of their own fluency, and into successful destinations for further learning, training and employment.

2.5 Education Scotland welcomes the ambition that more public authorities will develop Gaelic Language Plans. This has potential to improve outcomes for learners through well-judged selection of public authorities. Education Scotland suggests that due consideration be given to all new national agencies, post education reform, and all scrutiny bodies having a Gaelic Language Plan.

2.6 HM Inspectors in taking forward functions for the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, identify that local authorities need more support, challenge and monitoring in ensuring year-on-year growth in Gaelic Medium and Learner Education. We evidence a number of issues impacting on performance in delivering Gaelic across local authorities at this time. These include meeting parental demand for Gaelic and in staffing schools to deliver Gaelic Medium Education. In our recent national thematic on ‘Local Approaches to Recovery’ we highlighted the impact of shortages of teachers and support staff. This includes restricting senior leaders in using funding to recruit additional staffing to support recovery. Local authorities require more support with these fundamental issues as demand for Gaelic Medium
Education increases.

2.7 Education Scotland welcomes the target for increasing the number of Gaelic Medium schools. From taking forward functions for the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, it is our view that the process for setting up Gaelic Medium schools needs to be more systematic and coherent, with an increased pace of delivery.

2.8 The draft National Gaelic Language Plan rightly identifies that ‘the national inspection programme should clearly identify where progress is being made and where additional development is required.’ Education Scotland suggests that this wording reflects that our inspections continue to do so, given HM Inspectors of Education’s significant contributions to date. Secondly, this action should be considered as applying to other inspection and scrutiny bodies in Scotland, as appropriate to the breadth of ambitions in the National Gaelic Language Plan.

Consultation Question Three
There are a range of actions relating to each area of activity. Do you think that specific goals should be attached to the actions and if so, your suggestions on what these should be would be welcome?

3.1 Education Scotland recognises that there are a number of areas of activity that we lead successfully. We ask for clarity on how and by whom all actions and activities in the plan are implemented.

3.2 Education Scotland welcomes that recruiting and retaining high-quality staffing for Gaelic education is a priority in the draft National Gaelic Language Plan. (Please see our response in paragraph 2.6.) There also needs to be more focus on supporting children who have additional support needs.

3.3 The use of ‘school’ as an activity area does not recognise the full range of contexts in which 3-18 learning takes place.

Consultation Question Four
The Plan takes a broad and inclusive approach to the promotion and support for Gaelic. Do you think a broad approach is the right approach for Gaelic at this time?

4.1 Education Scotland has highlighted a number of important areas where an intensive, specialist strategy is required to achieve sustainable change and improvement for Gaelic. We recognise the value of collaboration and suggest that this is promoted in implementing the plan. Education Scotland looks forward to implementing our target to establish a working group for Gaelic Education across all regional improvement collaboratives (RICs).

4.2 Education Scotland recognises the challenges of the disconnect between a five-year planning period for the National Gaelic Language Plan and individual Gaelic Language Plans having a flexible time frame.

Consultation Question Five
The Plan wants to see Gaelic having a stronger appeal to individuals and families and to see an increased confidence in the use of Gaelic. What more do you think could help with this?

5.1 This is an important aspect in sustaining the language. The draft National Gaelic Language Plan needs to be much clearer on how timely outcomes will be achieved and by whom.

Consultation Question Six
What else do you think would ensure a promising future for Gaelic in Scotland?

6.1 Education Scotland has provided commentary to support this throughout our response. We would highlight the importance of quality staffing and a lifelong curriculum that embraces the totality of learning Gaelic and through Gaelic.

6.2 Education Scotland looks forward to collaborating further with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and other partners, on our submission on the draft National Gaelic Language Plan.