Headteachers in Wales are facing a significant challenge in trying to teach more subjects in Welsh due to a dire shortage of Welsh-speaking teachers. The issue was raised during a Senedd committee hearing, where it was highlighted that schools struggle to meet Welsh Government targets for ensuring all pupils can speak Welsh fluently upon leaving school. In particular, there is a severe scarcity of science teachers who are proficient in Welsh, making it difficult for schools to implement the Welsh Language Bill effectively.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) Cymru expressed concerns that schools lack the necessary resources to fulfil the requirements of the Bill. Claire Armistead, former headteacher of Rhyl High School and now Director of the Association of School and College Leaders Cymru, emphasised the challenging situation schools face in recruiting Welsh-speaking teachers, especially in subjects like physics. The shortage of qualified teachers proficient in Welsh is hindering schools’ ability to achieve the proposed targets set out in the Bill.
Julian Kennedy, head of Olchfa School in Swansea, echoed these sentiments, stating that the pool of Welsh-speaking teachers is insufficient to meet the mandated goals effectively. Despite efforts to recruit Welsh language educators, schools continue to struggle to find suitable candidates. Chris Parry, head of Lewis School Pengam and president of NAHT Cymru, acknowledged the profession’s dedication to the Welsh language but highlighted the lack of qualified Welsh-speaking teachers, making it challenging to meet the Welsh Government’s objectives outlined in the Bill.
The Welsh Language and Education Bill aims to increase the number of Welsh speakers in Wales to one million by 2050 and ensure all pupils are proficient in Welsh upon completing their education. Schools would be categorized based on their Welsh language medium, with corresponding language targets to meet. However, concerns were raised by Laura Doel, national secretary at NAHT Cymru, regarding the funding and capacity constraints schools face in providing necessary language training to staff.
While education unions support the aspirations of the Bill, there are doubts about the Welsh Government’s ability to provide the funding and support needed for its successful implementation. A comprehensive workload impact assessment on schools resulting from new legislation, including the Welsh Language and Education Bill, has not been conducted, further exacerbating the challenges faced by schools.
In response, the Welsh Government acknowledged the importance of having a sufficient education workforce to implement the Bill. Efforts are being made to increase the number of teachers proficient in Welsh through the Welsh in Education Workforce Plan. However, concerns persist about the practicality of providing adequate resources and training to meet the targets outlined in the Bill.
As schools continue to navigate the complexities of teaching more subjects in Welsh and meeting language proficiency goals, the debate around adequate funding, teacher recruitment, and training remains pivotal in ensuring the successful implementation of the Welsh Language and Education Bill.