Current developments in Scottish education are offering Gaelic arts development body Fèisean nan Gàidheal significant opportunities in terms of training and development which could be of major benefit to the organisation and Gaelic learning.

Speaking after meeting in Portree on Tuesday 19 June with Alasdair Allan MSP, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, Arthur Cormack, Chief Executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “We took the opportunity to explain Fèisgoil to the Minister – our plans for the development of a new service to help manage some of the issues which emerge from time to time in Scottish schools where there might be little or no experience of dealing with Gaelic. There are a number of key areas we believe Fèisean nan Gàidheal could offer expertise to local authorities as they get to grips with changes and developments in the school system such as the opportunities afforded by Curriculum for Excellence and Gaelic medium education. There are also aspects of Scottish Studies proposals that we feel might benefit from our knowledge and skills base. The Scottish Government’s aspirations to give Scottish children the opportunity to learn three languages is a great step forward and we believe that we are ideally placed to offer local authorities help in providing the resources and skills required to make the initiative work in relation to Gaelic teaching.”

Mr Cormack added: “We all know that there are some areas where local authorities are challenged in terms of teacher supply and, as a consequence, cannot always meet parental aspirations. Fèisean nan Gàidheal can help address these issues in collaboration with the authorities whilst contributing in the wider sense to the campaign to increase the number of people learning Gaelic throughout Scotland and enabling its use. School children could increase their Gaelic awareness at a number of levels and then make appropriate choices as they go forward with changes in the curriculum offering them new opportunities.”

The visit to the Fèisean nan Gàidheal offices in Portree was an opportunity for the Minister to hear about the new proposals and also to discuss other areas in which the organisation is contributing to Gaelic development organising tuition festivals, as well as supporting other projects through Gaelic drama and music. Further details about the major music festival, Blas 2012, which is organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, will be revealed later this week.

Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ coimhead ri cothroman leasachaidh

Tha cothroman an lùib leasachaidhean a tha an-dràsta a’ dol air adhart ann am foghlam sgoile na h-Alba san fharsaingeachd a dh’fhaodadh a bhith nam buannachd mhòr dhan bhuidhinn Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus dhan Ghàidhlig.

Sin an teachdaireachd a bh’ aig Art MacCarmaig, Ceannard Fèisean nan Gàidheal, an dèidh dha coinneachadh ri Ministir an Ionnsachaidh, Saidheans agus Cànain na h-Alba, Alasdair Allan BPA, agus e a’ tadhal air oifisean na buidhne ann am Port Rìgh Dimàirt 19mh Ògmhios.

Thuirt Mghr MacCarmaig: “Mhìnich sinn dhan Mhinistear mar a tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal an dùil iomairt ùr – Fèisgoil – a stèidheachadh son cothrom a ghabhail air na leasachaidhean a tha a’ tachairt ann an saoghal foghlam sgoiltean na h-Alba. Tha leasachaidhean anns a’ Churraicealam airson Sàr Mhaitheas a’ toirt dhuinn cothrom taic a chumail ri foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Bidh Rannsachadh na h-Alba a’ fosgladh dhorsan an cànan a theagasg do dh’òigridh nach eil ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig aig an ìre seo mar a bhios an iomairt ùr aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba a tha ag amas gum biodh clann ag ionnsachadh trì cànain. Dh’fhaodadh Gàidhlig a bhith nam measg.”

“Tha sinn uile mothachail gu bheil suidheachaidhean ann far nach urrainn do chomhairlean ionadail iarrtasan son leasachaidhean Gàidhlig a choileanadh air iomadach adhbhar. Tha sinne dhen bharail gu bheil Fèisean nan Gàidheal ann an deagh shuidheachadh cuideachadh le iomadach taobh de na leasachaidhean sin gus an urrainn dhuinn taic a chumail ris an iomairt airson àireamhan luchd-ionnsachadh fhàs agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig a leudachadh, agus cuideachd fios is eòlas mun Ghàidhlig a sgaoileadh gu math nas fharsainge air feadh na dùthcha gu lèir.”

Thuirt Mghr MacCarmaig gu robh e air grunn chinn-còmhraidh a thogail leis a’ Mhinistear agus e air thuras mu thuath, leithid obair eile anns a bheil Fèisean nan Gàidheal an sàs a’ cumail taic ris na Fèisean cho math ri leasachaidhean ann an ceòl agus dràma agus gnothaichean eile far a bheil co-obrachadh a’ dol air adhart le buidhnean eile. Thèid an fhèis Bhlas ga cur air bhog nas fhaide air adhart dhen t-seachdain seo ann an Inbhir Nis.

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal