In Issues 186–7 we reported City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) considerations on expanding provision for Gaelic Medium Education (GME) in the capital. The subject has local ramifications since, nearby, the former Bonnington Primary School may be where primary GME is delivered.
Of course, any move to expand GME in Edinburgh is also of interest because it carries a cost, particularly at a time when schools across the city are counting every penny.
In Issue 190 we returned to the issue, reiterating concerns that enthusiasm for primary-level GME at Tollcross might disguise even greater enthusiasm among some middle-class parents for guaranteed secondary placements at supposedly prestigious James Gillespie's. Such motives are understandable, but distinct from an enthusiasm for Gaelic language and culture.
We next wondered how CEC's possible concentration of secondary-level GME at (supposedly less prestigious) Tynecastle might affect parents' Gaelic enthusiasm in future. It would be a shame, and a colossal waste of money, if funds were invested in providing new, improved, primary facilities for GME if disappointed parents forced pupils to desert the programme at the transition to secondary level stage.
All these difficult questions – and, generally, Spurtle is very much in favour of supporting Gaelic language and culture – return now that CEC has launched its first, promised, public consultation on the subject, looking at primary-level GME.
The CEC press release issued yesterday stated that 'Future provision of secondary level Gaelic education is also being considered but not through this consultation. A working group is currently considering proposals and a public consultation is expected to take place in the Spring'.
This strikes Spurtle as misguidedly dividing a single issue into two. For the reasons stated above, primary and secondary GME in Edinburgh should be considered together.
We suggest respondents to CEC's invitation for input make the same point.
Opinions should be sent by 21 March via: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/primarygaelic.