LAST CHANCE FOR DEMOCRATIC DISCUSSION

Parent-Governors who are members of the Education Scrutiny Committee of Carmarthenshire County Council have ensured that the committee will discuss and express an opinion in tomorrow’s meeting (10a.m. Thursday 16/12) about the controversial strategy which could lead to the closure of up to 40 Welsh-medium village schools in the County.

The composition of the committee means that there is a possibility that it could vote to express its disapproval of this strategy. The 15 member committee comprises 8 from the ruling Labour/ Independent coalition with the rest coming from Plaid Cymru, Parent/Governors and Church representatives. The former Director of Education, Councillor Keith Davies – who is known to be unhappy about the strategy – is one of the Labour Committee members.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has today sent a message to every member of the committee asking them to demand a six month county-wide debate about the whole principles underpinning the strategy rather than limited local consultation about details of implementation only. In the message (copy attached),Cymdeithas yr Iaith provides documentary proof that the council has never discussed the new policy of closing almost every Welsh-medium village school. It further adds that this strategy would terminate - without discussion nor vote or even consideration the Council’s whole Welsh-medium education policy of Category A village schools and changing it to one of individual choice between Welsh-medium and English-medium streams or schools. “There has been no consideration, discussion nor vote on such a backward step for Welsh-medium education.”

MAD AXEMAN

Cymdeithas Education spokesperson Ffred Ffransis commented that he was not surprised that the council had experienced difficulty in finding any Welsh speakers to apply for the post of Director of Education to implement such a reactionary policy. “It is obvious that they intend to bring someone in from outside Wales as executioner to get rid of these troublesome schools and communities. The meeting of the Education Scrutiny Committee represents perhaps the last constitutional chance for democratic discussion inside the Council.”

For further information contact Ffred Ffransis : 01559-384378/ 07798 713801