This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6606173.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| More teaching through Welsh plea | More teaching through Welsh plea |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A parents' group has called on assembly election candidates to pledge that half of schools will teach in Welsh. | A parents' group has called on assembly election candidates to pledge that half of schools will teach in Welsh. |
| Parents for Welsh Education (RhAG) says about half of parents can see bilingualism advantages for children. | Parents for Welsh Education (RhAG) says about half of parents can see bilingualism advantages for children. |
| The call came after the leaders of the four main parties went head-to-head for the first time in a BBC TV debate at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Sunday. | The call came after the leaders of the four main parties went head-to-head for the first time in a BBC TV debate at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Sunday. |
| With polling day on Thursday, the leaders clashed on health and the likelihood of a coalition government. | With polling day on Thursday, the leaders clashed on health and the likelihood of a coalition government. |
| RhAG claimed that plans for more Welsh medium-schools were being slowed down by planning processes. | RhAG claimed that plans for more Welsh medium-schools were being slowed down by planning processes. |
| All four main parties have acknowledged the need for more Welsh-medium education. | All four main parties have acknowledged the need for more Welsh-medium education. |
| Currently, 23% of children attend Welsh medium schools. | Currently, 23% of children attend Welsh medium schools. |
| RhAG chairman Heini Gruffudd said parents in Wales were anxious for their children to become bilingual. | RhAG chairman Heini Gruffudd said parents in Wales were anxious for their children to become bilingual. |
| It is time for the next Welsh Assembly Government to establish clear targets for the growth of Welsh medium schools across Wales Heini Gruffudd, RhAG | It is time for the next Welsh Assembly Government to establish clear targets for the growth of Welsh medium schools across Wales Heini Gruffudd, RhAG |
| He added: "Unfortunately, plans to establish more Welsh medium schools are being slowed down because of the planning processes involved. | |
| "We in RhAG welcome the fact that Welsh is not being treated as a political football by the parties in Wales. | "We in RhAG welcome the fact that Welsh is not being treated as a political football by the parties in Wales. |
| "If only this were the case with Welsh-medium schools. | "If only this were the case with Welsh-medium schools. |
| "It is time for the next Welsh Assembly Government to establish clear targets for the growth of Welsh-medium schools across Wales." | "It is time for the next Welsh Assembly Government to establish clear targets for the growth of Welsh-medium schools across Wales." |
| Strategy | Strategy |
| Labour said it was up to local authorities to respond positively to the increased call for more Welsh-medium education. | Labour said it was up to local authorities to respond positively to the increased call for more Welsh-medium education. |
| Plaid Cymru said it would establish the right for parents to choose a Welsh-medium education for their children, and it would create a national strategy. | Plaid Cymru said it would establish the right for parents to choose a Welsh-medium education for their children, and it would create a national strategy. |
| The Conservatives pledged to answer the call for more Welsh education, and also spoke of a need to create a strategy in the sectors of higher and further education. | The Conservatives pledged to answer the call for more Welsh education, and also spoke of a need to create a strategy in the sectors of higher and further education. |
| The Lib Dems said they were looking at creating an easier process to establish Welsh medium schools and make it a duty for local authorities to assess the need for Welsh language education. | The Lib Dems said they were looking at creating an easier process to establish Welsh medium schools and make it a duty for local authorities to assess the need for Welsh language education. |
| "It was a clear sign that the importance of this area of policy remains as important and unresolved now as at the start of the campaign. | "It was a clear sign that the importance of this area of policy remains as important and unresolved now as at the start of the campaign. |
| "The colour and make-up of any coalition in government also provoked the leaders to trade political insults. | "The colour and make-up of any coalition in government also provoked the leaders to trade political insults. |
| "It reflected the fact that with three full days of campaigning to go before the polling stations open their doors, this is the most open-ended and unpredictable election in the short history of devolution." | "It reflected the fact that with three full days of campaigning to go before the polling stations open their doors, this is the most open-ended and unpredictable election in the short history of devolution." |