A  former Labour MP has backed experts' calls for Welsh-medium education for all children ahead of a statement by the Welsh Government about changes to the school curriculum today (Tuesday, 30th June).  

The news comes following a call from a number of leading education thinkers and groups for the Government to act on Professor Sioned Davies' report which called for an end to the existing system of teaching Welsh in English-medium schools with Welsh-medium education introduced for every child. Among the supporters of the campaign are David Crystal, Professor in Linguistics at Bangor University and author of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, Gethin Lewis, former headteacher and national secretary of N.U.T. Cymru, and teachers' union UCAC. 

The former Member of Parliament for Aberafan Hywel Francis has given his backing for a call by pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg which: "call[s] on the Welsh Government to take the opportunity to develop a new curriculum which will ensure that every pupil develops the essential educational skill of being able to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English. There is a chance to deliver this by implementing the recommendations of Professor Sioned Davies' report (“Un Iaith i Bawb”), which was commissioned by the government itself, that the contemptuous concept of "Second Language Welsh" should be abolished, and instead establish a Welsh language learning continuum for all. Every pupil would receive some of their education through the medium of Welsh so they become able to  practically use the Welsh language ... No pupil should be under the cultural or economic disadvantage of being deprived of the ability to communicate in Welsh."  

The news comes after Education Minister Huw Lewis suggested he is going to introduce changes to the way pupils become fluent in the Welsh language. Addressing the Assembly a few weeks ago, he said: "... that fundamental review—provides us with a window of opportunity to think in very fundamental terms, in terms of a root-and-branch overhaul of the way that Welsh might be acquired, that language acquisition might be delivered for our young people ... there is no doubt there is something dysfunctional in the delivery of Welsh second language. Even the terminology, I believe, now, is dubious and outdated." 

Responding to the ex-MP's backing for the campaign, Ffred Ffransis, education spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented: "We warmly welcome the support from such a prominent member of the labour movement for the campaign. There is no doubt that the way children are currently taught Welsh in English-medium schools is failing. The Minister's words suggest that the message is starting to reach those in power. If the Minister really believes there needs to be 'a root-and-branch overhaul' of the present system, then he must give a clear statement of intent to end teaching Welsh as a second language and move to a certain amount of Welsh-medium education for all. That would mean all our children would be able to use the language."