A clear majority of people in Wales want to see every young person leaving school able to communicate effectively in Welsh, according to a YouGov/Cymdeithas yr Iaith opinion poll released today (Monday, 10th November). 

The news comes as Professor Graham Donaldson is preparing a review of the school curriculum which will recommend changes to Welsh ministers at the turn of the year. The review is considering the conclusions of an independent report by Professor Sioned Davies, which severely criticised the current Welsh second language system saying: “It is undeniably the eleventh hour for Welsh second language”.  According to the poll, commissioned by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, when 'don't knows' are excluded, 63% of the people surveyed agreed that schools "should teach all pupils to communicate effectively in Welsh", with only 37% disagreeing.  

Ffred Ffransis, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's education spokesperson, commented: "It's very encouraging to see that the people of Wales agree with us. The education system should not deprive a single child of the right to be able to communicate and work in Welsh. At the moment, our system is failing and is creating second-class citizens, they don't have the same work or cultural opportunities as others. That's because of a postcode lottery of access to Welsh-medium education, their financial circumstance, or their parents' choice.  

"As we speak to people across the political spectrum, it's clear there's a growing consensus behind us. The challenge to Professor Donaldson and the Welsh Government now is to act in line with people's aspirations to ensure the system delivers for every child, not only the lucky ones. There's now no reason for Professor Donaldson to be under any illusion about the view of the people of Wales, and there's no reason for the Government to delay acting." 

Cymdeithas yr Iaith argues that every school in Wales should teach some subjects through the medium of Welsh, in order to ensure that all young people leave school with the ability to communicate in Welsh. The public's opinion is more divided on this issue, with 42% believing some subjects should be taught through the medium of Welsh in English-medium schools, and 48% against. However, more Labour party and Plaid Cymru supporters agreed that some subjects should be taught through the medium of Welsh in all schools than disagreed, as did young people aged 18-24 who have just left the education system themselves.  

Ffred Ffransis added: "I think these results are very positive given how limited the public discussion has been. The experience of education professionals is clear that Welsh-medium education is the most effective way of ensuring that pupils can communicate in Welsh. Professor Sioned Davies has also said that every school needs to be moved along a single continuum to a situation where every school has at least a degree of Welsh-medium education. Pilot schemes for this system should be started immediately."  The Welsh second language short GCSE course has been abolished since the publication of Professor Sioned Davies' report and Cymdeithas yr Iaith's campaign for Welsh-medium education for every child.