Language campaigners have celebrated Education Secretary Kirsty Williams' announcement that there will be a presumption against the closure of village schools in future. Cymdeithas yr Iaith has now called on local council leaders to respond positively, and to "grasp the opportunity" to contribute to the strengthening of Welsh-speaking village communities.   

Ffred Ffransis, a member of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's education group said:   

"We're delighted celebrating Williams has persuaded the Government that there are no educational benefits to closing schools that wouldn't be possible by encouraging federations. It's great news that there is a presumption against closing schools, and councils will have to shows there are very good reasons for depriving communities of the their school.   

"The fund of £2.5m, shared across the country, is not huge, but the important development is that the central government will not use capital investment as a form of blackmail against local authorities. We assume the Government will no longer demand that schools close before grants from the 21st century schools pot are offered for improvements or new buildings. Blackmail like this led Gwynedd Council to close Ysgol Parc, endangering a 91% Welsh-speaking community, in order to secure funding to develop a site in Bala, and to close Y Fron and Carmel schools to get money for developing Groeslon.   

"Even given this change of policy, it will still be easier for local bureaucrats to close schools rather than working with communities on new exciting plans. Officials in Ceredigion will still be keen on closing all the schools in Dyffryn Aeron and sending children to a central site instead of working with parents to improve existing schools. Council leaders must control their officers. The ball is firmly in their court now, and Council leaders must seize this opportunity.   

"This new policy is just an opportunity, and everything now depends on a positive response from council leaders. But we, as a society, will this week send a message of thanks to the tens of communities who have fought for their schools over the last decade. Many of them were left diasppointed, but their efforts have offered new hope to others."