Campaigners have welcomed the comments in an interview by a Minister suggesting that second language Welsh qualifications will be replaced by one new qualification for all pupils.

In an interview on the news program on S4C, the Minister for the Welsh language said that the education system is 'moving towards one continuum' so that 'every child' is 'able to be fluent in Welsh'. He referred to the period of qualification reform of second language Welsh as a 'transition' which will come to an end in 2021, suggesting that the Welsh second language qualifications will be replaced with a 'single stream' by that date.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith have written to the Minister requesting confirmation that one comprehensive Welsh language qualification for every child will be established to replace the existing qualifications.  

Toni Schiavone, chair of Cymdeithas' education group, said: 

"We welcome the Minister's comments as a step forward, and his commitment to ensuring that all children are fluent in the language. We are awaiting confirmation from him of the intention to abolish the second language qualifications and create one Welsh language qualification for all pupils instead. If that is the new Government policy, there are significant implications in terms of training for education practitioners. We will need a significant and rapid increase in the percentage of the workforce who teach through the medium of Welsh.  

"We also want to pay tribute to the initiative shown by Professor Sioned Davies and other experts who have pressed for these far-reaching changes. The campaign is certainly beginning to bear fruit, and we look forward to receiving confirmation from the Minister of his intention to create a Welsh language qualification for all pupils, and seeing the next steps forward."    

Cymdeithas yr Iaith's annual rally, which takes place on Saturday October 8th in Llangefni, Ynys Môn, will focus on the demand for Welsh medium education for all. Among the speakers will be prize-winning poet Cen Williams, actor John Pierce Jones and local pupils.

Cyfieithiad yw'r uchod o'r erthygl hon: http://cymdeithas.cymru/newyddion/dileu-cymraeg-ail-iaith-croesawu-cam-ymlaen