Consultation on school closure impact on Welsh language essential - Burnham

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Mar 2008

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Welsh language, today called on the government to set a duty on local authorities to asses the demand for Welsh-medium education and make local authorities assess the effect of school closures on the Welsh language.

Speaking in the Senedd, Ms Burnham said:

"Over the past few months, the school reorganisation issue has been high on the political agenda in many counties across Wales and it seems that it will continue to be over the next few years. With big supermarkets putting ever increasing pressure on the local shop and Labour's culling of the Post Offices, our rural communities are facing uncertain futures and I fear that the Welsh language will also be a victim.

"It is absolutely vital that we have an assessment on the impact of school reorganisation on the Welsh language. We do not know what effect closing small rural and community schools will have on the Welsh language, in many cases, the living language of the community.

"Before Christmas, Plaid-controlled Gwynedd council published re-organisation plans that could result in the closure of 29 schools across the county - the biggest closure programme so far in Wales. The council consulted with stakeholders, but these consultations have been widely criticised by parents and governors.

"The Liberal Democrats have long argued that local authorities be required to consult with all relevant stakeholders in the closure, not just those directly affected and that local authorities should asses the demand for Welsh-medium education and further promote or plan for it in future school organisational plans."

Ends/Diwedd