Mothers in Swansea are worried that Welsh language schools will not have space for their children. Bethan Packer and her sister Carys Williams both worry about convincing their non-Welsh speaking partners that Welsh medium schools are the right choice. The Welsh government has said it plans to increase the number of Welsh learners in Swansea schools. However, resources are a challenge for education officials.
Campaigners have been trying to raise the issue of Welsh language education for years, calling it “a story of frustration and lack of action.” Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontybrenin in Gorseinon has 480 children on the register, and it’s already within 5% of being overcrowded. Two other schools, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bryn-y-môr in Brynmill and Llwynderw in Mumbles are also within 10% of being over capacity.
Robert Smith, Swansea’s cabinet member for education and learning has said that he’s “frustrated at the pace at which we have been able to deliver the programme over the years.” He also said “resources are finite. We need the resources from the Welsh government. But more importantly, Welsh government needs funding from central government.”
The Welsh government has said it plans to increase the percentage of learners in Welsh medium education from 15% to up to 23 to 27% in the next 10 years. This will include new Welsh language schools and increasing capacity where there is high demand. Loughor and Gorseinon have been identified as expansion areas. The council must submit a nine-year school plan to the Welsh government that should include their commitment to the Welsh language
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