- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 November 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 13 November 2013
To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons an emergency timetable extending journey times for railway services on the Far North and Kyle line was introduced on 28 October 2013.
Answer
A modified timetable has been introduced for services between Inverness and Thurso/Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh to improve the punctuality and reliability of the timetable and ensure connection times are met with other public transport services.
Not all services on these routes have been adversely affected with the introduction of this new timetable. Of those services that have been affected, journey times have been extended by a maximum of two minutes.
Network Rail and First ScotRail are working closely together to produce an improved and more resilient timetable for Far North and Kyle services, which is expected to be introduced for the May 2014 timetable change.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 November 2013
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 13 November 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what the outcomes were of the President of Turkey's recent visit to Scotland.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 13 November 2013
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what encouragement it is giving to the establishment of more standalone Gaelic schools.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to the expansion of Gaelic medium education through support to local authorities who wish to establish new units and schools in their areas. Every encouragement is being given to the establishment of more standalone schools. We are in regular contact with local authorities on this matter and recognise the importance that these developments have for increasing the numbers of those who are able to use the language and that is why I announced on 23 September an additional £4 million over the next two financial years to the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund. Local authorities will be approached again to highlight the funds availability and to invite bids.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what its definition is of Gaelic-medium education.
Answer
Gaelic medium education has been defined in recent acts of the Scottish Parliament, including the Gaelic (Scotland) Act 2005 and Schools (Consultation) Act 2010, as “teaching by means of the Gaelic language as spoken in Scotland”. The Scottish Government is currently working to prepare National Guidance on Gaelic education. This will provide a more detailed definition of Gaelic medium education.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what timetable it has set for the development of Gaelic education.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working continually with partners to ensure that Gaelic education is developed and expanded across the country. It is essential that this work is carried out in a manner that addresses local needs and demands.
The Scottish Government has written to local authorities seeking bids to Gaelic Specific Grant Scheme. These bids must show evidence of planned growth over the next 2 financial years and how work will help deliver more places in all levels of Gaelic education.
Work in this area has helped realise new schools and units across Scotland with further schools opening in Fort William, Glasgow and Portree over the next three years.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it would give prospective parents of a pupil in Gaelic-medium education as to the length of time their child should be immersed in Gaelic.
Answer
This is currently a matter for local authority decision making. However, there is a consensus in the Gaelic medium sector that the initial immersion phase should extend from P1 to P3 and that Gaelic should continue to be the dominant medium of learning up to P7.
We will look at this very closely as we prepare and consult on National Guidance on Gaelic education.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government when it started production of, and what plans it has to publish, statutory guidance on Gaelic education.
Answer
The Scottish Government has asked Education Scotland to prepare National Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education. This process started in 2012. Education Scotland are working closely with all interested parties on this including Bòrd na Gaidhlig, local authorities, parents and other interests. We expect this national Guidance to be available for public consultation in 2014.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have cited lack of teachers as a reason for denying access to Gaelic-medium education.
Answer
We have received no formal approaches from any local authority citing lack of teachers as a reason for denying access to Gaelic Medium Education. However, we are aware of the difficulties in the recruitment and retention of teachers in the Gaelic medium sector and for this reason we have been working closely with Bòrd na Gaidhlig, teacher education institutions, local authorities and the Scottish Funding Council to ensure that Gaelic teaching is promoted and information on the routes in to teacher training are clear and those entering the system are supported while given CPD opportunities.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to outline the differences between Gaelic-medium education and Gaelic learners’ education and the outcomes that could be expected from each.
Answer
The differences between Gaelic medium education and Gaelic learners’ education have been briefly dealt with in legislation of the Scottish Parliament. For Gaelic medium pupils we hope to ensure that young people are both equally confident in the use of both Gaelic and English; and are able to use Gaelic and English in a full range of contexts within and outwith school. The outcomes for Gaelic Learners Education are described in the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence and then in the criteria for national qualifications in the senior phase. It is our intention that this will receive further attention in the National Guidance that is being prepared.
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Independent
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2013
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 October 2013
To ask the Scottish Government what outcomes it envisages from Gaelic-medium education.
Answer
The Scottish Government wants to see a rising number of children in Gaelic Medium Education, and that this should play an important part on stabilising and growing the number of Gaelic speakers nationally.
From an individual learners journey and as identified through the work of Education Scotland, the Scottish Government has two outcomes from Gaelic Medium Education. We wish to ensure that our children and young people are equally confident in the use of both Gaelic and English; and are able to use Gaelic and English in a full range of contexts within and outwith school.
