Labour/Plaid Government leaving Welsh language pupils behind.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 2nd Jul 2008

Kirsty Williams and Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat AMs will this afternoon call on the Assembly Government to reconsider its decision to leave out provision for Welsh medium schools from the Learner Travel Measure, legislation that seeks provision for free school transport for primary school children.

Last month, Labour and Plaid Cymru AMs voted against an amendment, supported by Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Kirsty Williams, to include school transport provision for primary school children wishing to attend Welsh medium schools.

Kirsty Williams, Education spokesperson said:

"The Assembly Government's proposed powers on travel for school children was welcomed by all parties however the Labour/Plaid Government proposals didn't go far enough in extending the provision for travel for children who have different educational needs.

"We have to consider all in our communities and that's why we asked for powers to be widened to include children who attend faith schools and Welsh medium education schools.

"I was deeply disappointed that Labour and Plaid AMs voted against the amendment to widen the provision for school transport to Welsh medium education.

"The decision of those Labour and Plaid members not to support the equitable access to Welsh-medium schools is a disgrace. It is shocking that this Labour/Plaid government has acted to disadvantage those seeking a Welsh Medium education in this way. Once again, their coalition is letting Wales down."

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Language spokesperson said:

"Through this piece of legislation, we had the chance of ensuring that Welsh medium-education was available to all, and is placed on an equitable basis with English-medium education.

"This recent let down for the Welsh language adds to the Labour/Plaid Government's list of failures to ensure that Welsh is treated as an equal language in Wales. Earlier this year, the Heritage Minister failed to provide adequate funding for the Welsh language daily paper 'Y Byd' and the Government's proposals to bring powers on the Welsh language from Westminster to Cardiff seem to be stuck on the M4.

"Welsh should be on equal footing with the English language, we have two languages in Wales."

Notes:

Kirsty Williams is a member of the Learner Travel Measure Committee.

Ieuan Wyn Jones did not support the amendment to widen the Measure to include travel to Welsh medium schools.

What is the Learner Travel Measure?

The proposed Measure, the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure, is intended to strengthen protocols for good behaviour and proper discipline on school buses and provide free transport for more primary school children.

All children in primary education who live more than two miles from the nearest suitable school will be entitled to free transport. This replaces the current law under which children are expected to walk three miles once they become eight years old. Local authorities will be able to offer more generous arrangements if they wish.