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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) allocates approximately £1m annually to send children to private schools in north Wales due to the emphasis on Welsh language instruction in state schools. In the 2024-2025 academic year, £1,019,000 was disbursed for day school allowances for 83 offspring of service members, while £942,000 was provided for 79 children in the previous year. The rationale behind this practice is to ensure that the education of service children is not disrupted, particularly considering their frequent relocations.
Plaid Cymru criticized this financial outlay as a “complete waste of money” and decried it as “an affront to our language.” Meanwhile, the Conservatives argued that parents should have the autonomy to determine the language of instruction for their children. These sentiments emerged following discussions regarding the allocation of funds for private schooling in light of the Welsh language policy in state educational institutions in north Wales.
A request filed under the Freedom of Information Act by BBC Wales unveiled these figures pertaining to the Ministry of Defence’s financial support for private schooling in north Wales. The existence of the Day School Allowance in North Wales (DSA-NW) facilitates service families posted in regions where Welsh is the predominant language of instruction. By offering assistance with expenses related to independent day schooling in English, the DSA-NW aims to mitigate the disruptions that service children may encounter as a result of their transient lifestyle.
The eligibility for the allowance extends to individuals residing in specific counties in north Wales and serving at establishments like RAF Valley, Anglesey, and other related training facilities. Furthermore, the qualifying private schools listed for the allowance include institutions such as Treffos School, Llansadwrn, Anglesey; Rydal Penrhos Prep School in Colwyn Bay; St. Gerard’s, Bangor; and St. David’s College, Llandudno. This financial support initiative underscores the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to supporting service personnel and their families by addressing the educational needs of their children in regions where Welsh instruction predominates
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