Welsh Language and Education Bill passes another hurdle
If passed, the bill will create three school categories: primarily Welsh; dual language; and primarily English, partly Welsh – with targets for each.
A minimum of 10 per cent of Welsh education would be required in primarily English schools, with 50 and 80 per cent for the dual language and primarily Welsh categories respectively.
The bill would also put the target of reaching at least a million Welsh speakers by 2050 on a legal footing and establish the National Welsh Language Learning Institute.
Senedd members considered dozens of detailed amendments to the bill during a four-hour stage-three debate on May 6.
Plaid Cymru's Cefin Campbell said: 'A quarter of a century after the opening of this Senedd, it is disappointing that the majority of children and young people in Wales continue to be deprived of the opportunity to learn Welsh in our education system and to use the language in their everyday life.
'Due to these failures over the past decades, it's very important that we legislate in this area to ensure the necessary progress is made… to reach a million Welsh speakers by 2050.'
Mr Campbell proposed raising the minimum requirement in primarily English schools to 20 per cent but Senedd members roundly rejected this amendment.
Mark Drakeford, who is responsible for Welsh language policy, argued increasing the minimum to 20 per cent would pose a significant risk the requirement could not feasibly be met.
Mr Campbell raised concerns about exemptions from the 10 per cent minimum for primarily English schools which would be able to apply for two three-year extensions.
Senedd members voted against an amendment which would have required ministers to issue guidance on how Welsh learning goals apply to pupils with additional learning needs.
The bill now moves to stage four: a key vote on the final version agreed at stage three. With Labour and Plaid holding two-thirds of seats, the Senedd is likely to pass the bill on May 13.
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