Scottish Languages Act 2025

General duties of education authorities relating to Gaelic education

19 General duty to provide education includes Gaelic education

(1) The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 is modified as follows.

(2) In section 1 (duty of education authorities to secure provision of education)—

(a) in subsection (5)(a), for sub-paragraph (iii) substitute—

“(iii) Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education,”,

(b) in subsection (5)(b)(iv), for “Gaelic in Gaelic-speaking areas” substitute “the Gaelic language”,

(c) after subsection (5), insert—

“(6) In this Act—

• “Gaelic language” means Gaelic language as used in Scotland,

• “Gaelic learner education” means the teaching of the Gaelic language to, and learning of the language by, pupils to whom education is provided primarily by means of the English language,

• “Gaelic medium education” means teaching and learning by means of the Gaelic language.”.

(3) In section 135(1) (interpretation), after the definition of “further education” insert—

• ““Gaelic language”, “Gaelic learner education” and “Gaelic medium education” have the meanings given by section 1(6) of this Act,”.

20 Duty to promote Gaelic education in exercising functions under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980

(1) The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 is modified as follows.

(2) The italic heading immediately preceding section 15 becomes “Promotion by education authorities of Gaelic education”.

(3) Before section 15 insert—

“14A Duty to promote Gaelic education in exercising functions under the 1980 Act

In exercising its functions under Parts 1 and 2 of the 1980 Act, an education authority must—

(a) promote, facilitate and support—

(i) Gaelic learner education,

(ii) Gaelic medium education, and

(iii) the teaching of the Gaelic language in its provision of further education,

(b) have regard to the needs and interests of all pupils and prospective pupils who are receiving, or who wish to receive, Gaelic learner education or Gaelic medium education.”.

21 Information-sharing about Gaelic education

(1) The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 is modified as follows.

(2) Before section 17 and the italic heading immediately preceding it insert—

“Information about Gaelic education

16A Information-sharing about Gaelic education

(1) Bòrd na Gàidhlig may serve a notice on an education authority requiring the authority—

(a) to provide the Bòrd with such information as the Bòrd specifies in the notice about—

(i) Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education in the authority’s provision of school education, or

(ii) the teaching of the Gaelic language in the authority’s provision of further education, and

(b) to provide that information by a date specified in the notice.

(2) An education authority must comply with a notice served on it under subsection (1).”.