Language campaigners will accuse an agency responsible for young people's qualifications of acting ‘anti-democratically’ at a meeting today (2pm, Friday, 29th April) in proposing to retain second-language Welsh as a subject, contrary to Government policy.  

In a meeting and in a letter to Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg at the end of last year, the First Minister said that the subject Welsh Second Language would be abolished along with the distinction between Welsh Second Language and Welsh First Language, to create one Welsh language learning “continuum” for all pupils instead. He also said that the Government was “of the opinion that the concept of ‘Welsh as a second language’ creates an artificial division, and we do not believe that this offers a useful basis for future policy development."  

However, three weeks ago, Qualifications Wales published a consultation that proposed retaining the Welsh second language qualifications with a new examination to commence in September 2017. Campaigners have strongly criticised the consultation for going against Government policy and wasting time as the new curriculum, which should offer one qualification for all pupils, is to be made available to schools in the following year, in September 2018.  

Speaking before today’s meeting with officers of Qualifications Wales, Toni Schiavone, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s education group, said:  

"Qualifications Wales’ conduct is totally anti-democratic and we will demand that they start from scratch with a new consultation that reflects Government policy. What right do they have to undermine Government policy which is based on a report by experts? Technocrats sitting in an office have no right to do this. It’s a disgrace and an insult to democracy in Wales.  

"This unelected body is acting entirely against Government policy and the clear consensus in the National Assembly, which wants to do away with the concept of teaching Welsh as a second language. Qualifications Wales has tried to conceal the truth. What’s the point of introducing a qualification that will be irrelevant in a year’s time? You can’t do away with Welsh Second Language on the one hand while simultaneously conducting a consultation regarding a ‘Welsh Second Language’ qualification. You either do away with it, or you don’t – it’s as simple as that.  

"We are extremely concerned that other officers and agencies are setting out to obstruct and weaken Government policy and the political consensus. Indeed, there is a real danger that we might see, at the end of the day, a continuance of the Welsh Second Language concept, unless strong leadership is shown by our politicians. 

"The next Government of Wales must put an end to this consultation, and stipulate that one Welsh language continuum is to be offered to all pupils, doing away with the concept of teaching Welsh as a second language."