Leading Welsh language campaigners have warned that plans to close sixth forms in Rhondda Cynon Taf would "kill the Welsh language" in the county borough.The Welsh Language Society has written to Education Minister and Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews asking him to block the council's wish to close schools and setup bilingual colleges instead. Under the plans, classes for 16 to 18 year olds at schools in Cymmer, Garth Olwg, Rhydywaun and Llanhari will close.The society also warned that there would be 'strong protests' against the plans if the council and the Welsh Government didn't reconsider their options.

Leading Welsh language campaigners have warned that plans to close sixth forms in Rhondda Cynon Taf would "kill the Welsh language" in the county borough.The Welsh Language Society has written to Education Minister and Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews asking him to block the council's wish to close schools and setup bilingual colleges instead. Under the plans, classes for 16 to 18 year olds at schools in Cymmer, Garth Olwg, Rhydywaun and Llanhari will close.The society also warned that there would be 'strong protests' against the plans if the council and the Welsh Government didn't reconsider their options. The council proposals need approval from officials in Cardiff before they are taken further.In a letter to the Minister, Chair of the Welsh Language Society, Menna Jones said:"We have come to the conclusion that the proposals to establish 'bilingual' colleges would destroy Welsh-medium education in RCT. We strongly believe, as the government claims too, that Welsh-medium schools are the only way to ensure that pupils have the chance to become fully bilingual."Danny Grehan, a local member of the society and a parent from Tonyrefail:"From what I've heard, there isn't a single parent I know who supports the council's plan. I expect strong protests if they don't think again. I can't see how the government will let the council do this, when they say they want to allow more children the chance to be fluent in both English and Welsh."The plan threatens the future of the Welsh language and the schools in the county; the closure of all the sixth forms, whether they're English-medium or Welsh-medium, is a big threat to valleys communities."