…Researched and contributed by Jack Sylva.
Parents and campaigners in north Pontypridd have raised concerns about the availability of Welsh-medium education for children.
With the upcoming replacement of Cefn Primary School and Craig yr Hesg Primary School with a new English-medium school in Glyncoch, as well as the closure of Ysgol Pont Sion Norton, local access to Welsh-medium education in Glyncoch, Ynysybwl, Coedycwm, and Cilfynydd is in question.
Parents may be forced to send their children to a new Welsh-medium school in Rhydyfelin that requires significant travel.
The council has stated that the location of the Welsh-medium school and the consultation were reviewed in a judicial review in 2020, which found in the council’s favour, and stressed the importance of the Cymraeg 2050 strategy, stating there will be no removal of Welsh-medium capacity or choice.
Parents and campaigners have claimed that the site chosen for the new English-medium school in Glyncoch was the one suggested for a new Welsh-medium school but were ignored by the council.
One father expressed deep concern that his children would be directly impacted by the move, while another mother expressed her frustration at the lack of options for Welsh-medium education for her children.
Campaigners have also highlighted that the recent closures of parent and toddler group Cylch Ti a Fi and Cylch Meithrin in Ynysybwl mean that there is no longer any Welsh-language provision for the early years in the village.
Campaigners and parents have established a new Cylch Ti a Fi and Cylch Meithrin in Cilfynydd to address concerns that fewer families could choose Welsh-medium education following the closure of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pont Sion Norton.
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has stated that the council recognises the importance of Cymraeg 2050 and their Welsh in Education Strategic Plan is integral to delivering this vision, and is confident that their continued investment in Welsh-medium provision is ensuring access to good Welsh language education for all learners.
Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, Heledd Fychan, has asked the minister for education and the Welsh language to reconsider the proposed school’s medium of language as campaigners have been calling for a new Welsh-medium school to be built on the site for years.
The Welsh Government has approved plans to increase the percentage of learners in Welsh-medium education in Rhondda Cynon Taf by 10% over the next 10 years.
The local authority will also open new Welsh-medium primary schools, expand existing Welsh-medium schools, and re-categorise others from dual stream to Welsh medium, creating an additional 300 Welsh-medium school places.
Commentary:
The availability of Welsh-medium education is an important issue for Welsh-speaking communities.
The closure of Ysgol Pont Sion Norton and the upcoming replacement of Cefn Primary School and Craig yr Hesg Primary School with a new English-medium school has raised concerns about the future of Welsh-medium education in the area.
The council has stated that there will be no removal of Welsh-medium capacity or choice, but parents and campaigners are worried that the lack of options for Welsh-medium education will harm the Welsh language in the area.
It is crucial to ensure that Welsh-medium education is accessible to all who want it, and the establishment of new Cylch Ti a Fi and Cylch Meithrin in Cilfynydd is a positive step in that direction.
The Welsh Government’s approval of plans to increase the percentage of learners in Welsh-medium education in Rhondda Cynon Taf is also a positive development.