Section 24 - National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh
106.This section places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to prepare a National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh which covers the education provided to pupils of compulsory school age and also lifelong Welsh language learning.
107.The Welsh Ministers must adopt a strategy on promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language under section 78 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, and the strategy must include the targets set out in section 1(1). The National Framework is required to set out how the Welsh Ministers will implement the Welsh language strategy in the context of Welsh language education, Welsh language provision in tertiary education and in the context of acquiring and lifelong learning of the Welsh language.
108.Section 24(3) to (6) contains requirements as to what Welsh Ministers must include in a National Framework. This includes:
setting out the steps they will take to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language, including in relation to increasing the amount of Welsh language education in schools and improving Welsh language education in schools;
promoting the Welsh language education in “Primarily Welsh language” category schools, in order to increase the number of pupils who attend those schools;
encouraging continuity in teaching the Welsh language and education through the medium of Welsh between different periods of education;
setting out the steps they will take to provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn Welsh throughout their life and to maintain and improve their Welsh language ability and usage: in childcare to those under compulsory school age, during different stages of their education careers and in the workplace and the community;
setting targets on local authorities to reflect any national target set out in the Welsh language strategy in accordance with section 1(1)(c) (these targets are the basis for what local authorities must include in the local Welsh in education strategic plans (see section 30));
assessments and analysis in terms of the current provision of Welsh language education in each local authority area, and what is needed in terms of Welsh language education to achieve any targets set on local authorities in the National Framework.
109.The steps set out in section 24(3) are intended to be considered alongside action at county level by local authorities and at a local level in schools. The table below elaborates on the specific requirements in relation to Welsh language education in schools, and their interconnection with other provisions:
| The National Framework must set out the steps to be taken to: | Further explanation |
|---|---|
| Increase the provision of Welsh language education provided | These are the steps that Welsh Ministers will take to ensure that schools increase the Welsh language education they offer where reasonably practicable. Interconnection Although these are steps to be taken at a national level, this requirement aligns with the requirement at a local level for schools to set out in their delivery plans how they will ensure an increase in Welsh language education where reasonably practicable (see section 14(1)(e)(ii) of this Act). |
| Improve the provision of Welsh language education | These are the steps that Welsh Ministers will take at a national level to support schools to improve their Welsh language education. Interconnection This requirement aligns with the requirement: (i) at a local authority level for a local Welsh in education strategic plan to set out the steps a local authority will take to improve the provision of Welsh language education (see section 30(3)(a)(i)); (ii) at a school level: for schools to set out in their delivery plans how they will facilitate continuous improvement in Welsh language education (see section 14(1)(g)(iii)). |
| Promote Welsh language education in “Primarily Welsh Language” category schools, and increase the number of pupils attending schools of that category | To ensure that pupils have the best possible opportunity to become independent Welsh users, and presenting new opportunities to them as a result, Welsh Ministers have role to play in the promotion of education in “Primarily Welsh Language” category schools. Interconnection This requirement aligns with the requirement at local authority level to set out the steps it will take to promote and provide information about the Welsh language education provided in “Primarily Welsh Language” category schools in its area (see section 30(3)(b)). It also aligns with the duty on local authorities in relation to late immersion education in Welsh in section 23(2). |
| Encourage progression in teaching Welsh and in education through the medium of Welsh in various contexts | These are the steps that Welsh Ministers will take to encourage pupils to follow a Welsh language education pathway consistent with the previous provision they received. That way, pupils will be encouraged to make continued progress in their Welsh language skills and build on the progress already made. For example, this could be through continuing in a school of the same language category when moving from primary education to secondary education. Interconnection This requirement aligns with the requirement at a local authority level to set out the steps it will take to facilitate progression in teaching Welsh and education through the medium of Welsh between— (i) nursery education and education for pupils of compulsory school age (see section 30(3)(d)(i)), (ii) maintained primary schools and maintained secondary schools (see section 30(3)(d)(ii)), and (iii) education for pupils of compulsory school age and tertiary education (see section 30(3)(d)(iii)). It also aligns with the duty on local authorities and governing bodies in relation to late immersion education in Welsh in section 23 of this Act. |
110.In addition to the targets set by the National Framework under section 24(5), section 24(7) enables the Framework to set further targets on local authorities for the purpose of implementing the Framework.
111.The Welsh Ministers also have the power, in accordance with section 24(8), to set targets on the National Institute for Learning Welsh for the purpose of facilitating the achievement of national targets (contained in the Welsh language strategy) relating to supporting people to learn Welsh and facilitating their progress.
112.In addition, section 24(9) allows flexibility in making provisions in the National Framework. As one example the National Framework could set different targets, in accordance with section 24(5), for different local authorities.
113.Section 24(10) enables Welsh Ministers, by regulations, to amend sections 24(3) to (8) in relation to the content of the National Framework.
