TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Friday July 14, 1995

Local parents campaign for Gaelic

While many years ago schoolchildren were punished for speaking in Gaelic, today an increasing number of parents want their children to understand the ancient language of the Highlands and Islands.

Parents of children attending Campbeltown’s Gaelic playgroup are currently campaigning for the introduction of Gaelic into local primary schools. They are concerned that children introduced to the language by the playgroup are unable to continue learning Gaelic at school.

In a Gaelic Medium Unit, children whose parents wanted them to attend, would learn exclusively in Gaelic for the first two years of their education. They would then be taught in equal measure of English and Gaelic from Primary 3 onwards. Apart from being taught in Gaelic, the children would follow the Scottish Office’s curriculum guidelines for 5 to 14-year-olds.