The Welsh Language Board was pleased to see the publication of the Welsh-Medium Education Strategy in the Assembly today. The Board now looks forward to seeing the Strategy being implemented, and Welsh-medium education being strategically planned on a national level for the first time ever.

 Meirion Prys Jones, Chief Executive of the Board, said:

"Despite the tremendous growth in Welsh-medium education over the past decades, the provision has so far been developed on a local authority level, without any planning on a national level. Through this Strategy, the Government sets a national direction, meaning that Welsh-medium education will be developed in every part of Wales, leading to creating more Welsh speakers.

“Implemented successfully across Wales, I’m sure that the Strategy will contribute towards creating a workforce which is bilingually skilled and which can work confidently in both languages. These skills will be an invaluable asset to the different sectors, professions and careers in the future.”

"But for the Strategy to be successful, the Government will have to ensure that authorities and schools will receive all the necessary resources to enable them to do the job."

Meirion Prys Jones added:

"I would also like to congratulate the Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, Leighton Andrews, for introducing the Strategy through the medium of Welsh in the Senedd this afternoon. What a massive achievement! "