A SPECIAL meeting of senior Pembrokeshire councillors is to consider a ‘call-in’ on a Cabinet decision which has led to claims of “a bias against the provision of Welsh Language education”.

The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) is a ten-year plan, mandatory for all local authorities in Wales, that outlines how Welsh medium education will be developed within the authority.

The WESP aims to increase the proportion of school year groups taught through the medium of Welsh and focuses on Year 1 learners. The plans also aim to contribute to the Welsh Government’s goal of having 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, as part of the “Cymraeg 2050” initiative.

Pembrokeshire County council’s schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee met on May 14 to consider a ‘call-in’ by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy of a cabinet decision on April 28, specifically an amendment by Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller to its previous recommendation to note a report.

The scrutiny committee voted for Cabinet to consider removing an amendment: “That the Director of Education be tasked with exploring how demand for Welsh language can be better captured.

“In particular this work should focus on disaggregating demand for Welsh Medium Education from other school choice considerations such as perceptions of learning outcomes, facility quality etc,” replacing it with: “That the progress being made against the objectives set out in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and Welsh Government’s feedback to the Council’s 2023/24 Annual Report, be noted.”

Cllr Murphy’s lengthy ‘call-in’ said: “Some comments made by Cabinet appeared to display a degree of bias against the provision of Welsh Language education.”

He quoted Cllr Miller from that meeting, in relation to Welsh medium Ysgol Caer Ellen: “…basically we’ve opened Caer Ellen and loads of people went there and therefore by definition they must want a Welsh Language education.

“I’m not sure how true that is, might be partly true, might be completely true but also it might not be. I know quite a few parents in that particular area obviously given my constituency in Neyland West and all of them that I know who send their children to Caer Ellen honestly couldn’t give a toss whether it was Welsh or English, they’re looking for a good school and so what they’ve got is a good school in Caer Ellen, great facilities, and so they’re sending their kids there.”

Cllr Murphy went on to say: “Councillor Miller then continues and commented ‘honestly the fact its Welsh medium has got nothing to do with anything so how do we differentiate those looking for a good school’ and re-asserts this point where it appears that Cllr Miller by his comments does not think parents select Caer Ellen on the basis of providing Welsh education, rather that it’s a ‘good school’ and requests data be collected to ascertain from parents why they choose Welsh Language education.”

Cllr Murphy also raised concerns that some members of the Cabinet “had little idea of the workings” of Fforwm Cymraeg, a committee which examines in greater detail the provision of Welsh language education in Pembrokeshire.

Dealing with the data collection proposal, Cllr Murphy said there is no provision in the Schools Admission Code to enable PCC to collect the data, adding that “to try and collect this data would be a clear indication that some Cabinet members do not believe parental choice in electing Welsh Language education when the evidence is clear that within Pembrokeshire the demand for Welsh education is growing and the majority of schools at or near capacity are those providing Welsh medium education such as Caer Ellen, Hafan y Mor, Bro Ingli, etc”.

At the May 14 meeting, Cllr Murphy said he had reported the matter to the Welsh Language Commissioner, who had shared his concerns, and was “aghast what Pembrokeshire County Council recommended.”

Cllr Miller responded saying there was no evidence members displayed a limited knowledge of WESP, and allegations that his comments displayed a degree of bias were “entirely without merit,” standing by his words.

“It must be the case it is at least possible some parents are choosing Welsh medium schools other than because of the medium of Welsh. It’s currently unknown; surely it’s right the council seeks to understand the impact of other forces.”

On his “perhaps relaxed language” he said he was reflecting the views of some of his constituents, saying Cllr Murphy was “trying to make something out of nothing,” in “a naked attempt to create outrage, trying to paint some in this council as anti-Welsh”.

He added: “Cllr Murphy should be deeply ashamed of his actions over the last week in trying to create artificial division in the county of Pembrokeshire,” suggesting he was attempting to draw a wedge “between the people of Pembrokeshire that speak Welsh and those that don’t,” adding: “If he honestly believes he can draw political benefit I suggest time will show him he is sorely mistaken.

“This administration will continue to make decisions based on sound evidence for the benefit of all it represents.”

Cllr Murphy told members he had received “petulant emails” from Cllr Miller after he contacted the language commissioner, adding of Cllr Miller: “If he’s proud of what the Welsh Language Commissioner has written he needs to have a real serious period of reflection.”

Cllr Murphy’s call succeeded by seven votes to five, with the May 21 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet now considering the matter.

THE SENEDD unanimously passed a “far-reaching, truly historic” bill aimed at transforming education as part of the ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Senedd Members voted 50-0 in favour of the Welsh language education bill, which aims to ensure all pupils become confident Welsh speakers by the end of compulsory school.

Mark Drakeford said the bill will open doors for pupils, offer job opportunities, provide access to the rich culture of the language and allow people to use Welsh in their everyday lives.

The former First Minister, who is now responsible for the language, told the Senedd the bill would open a new chapter in the history of Welsh education.

Under the bill, three school categories will be created – primarily Welsh; dual language; and primarily English, partly Welsh – with targets for each for a minimum of Welsh education.

The bill would also put the target of reaching at least a million Welsh speakers on a legal footing and establish the National Welsh Language Learning Institute.

Ministers’ Cymraeg 2050 strategy also aims to double daily use of the language by 2050.

Prof Drakeford said: “The institute will be the focal point for Welsh learning and it will help in the process of planning to develop the education workforce. It will promote innovation and continuous improvement… and will help to raise standards in learning Welsh.”

Cautioning change will not happen overnight, the finance secretary stressed the importance of embedding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Tom Giffard, for the Conservatives, said his party would support the bill in the final vote because “it’s extremely important we achieve that target of a million Welsh speakers”.

Mr Giffard, a former teaching assistant at a Welsh-language primary school, appeared to have a pop at Reform UK – the right-wing populist party headed by Nigel Farage.

“This is at risk in future,” he said. “There are some parties currently outside this Senedd, or perhaps within it, who want to see us reverse that development that we see, and that is very concerning for me and will be concerning in future years.”

Cefin Campbell – an architect of the bill, which was part of Plaid Cymru’s since-collapsed cooperation agreement with ministers – was heartened to see cross-party support.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary described the bill as “truly historic” and an important milestone on the journey to a million Welsh speakers and beyond.

Mr Campbell told the Senedd: “Time will tell if this bill succeeds in its ambition to secure one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

“At the moment, you have to say that it looks like a mountain to climb, with the summit feeling very far away. But, one of the purposes of mountains is to climb them, so why not put our language boots on and go for it.”

In closing, he invoked the words of Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru’s former president and first MP, who said: “From Anglesey to Monmouth, speakers of Welsh are again a possibility.”

Responding during the debate on May 13, Prof Drakeford thanked his Tory and Plaid Cymru counterparts for their support despite not agreeing with every word in the bill.

He told Senedd Members: “Everything I’ve heard this afternoon tells me that we have succeeded in bringing people together.”

The Labour politician, who is standing down next May, added: “When we can come together in this way, we can do important things, not just in Wales today but in the future Wales.

“In my view, we have as a Senedd succeeded in creating an important bill – a far-reaching bill that will enable all children to become confident Welsh speakers. And, from what I’ve heard, it appears we will pass the bill today unanimously and that is a powerful signal.”

After completing its passage through the Senedd, the bill should receive royal assent in the months ahead with no legal challenge expected from the UK Government.

AROUND 1,500 children from 31 schools across Pembrokeshire came together to celebrate Dydd Miwsig Cymru/Welsh Language Music Day with four unforgettable gigs filled with live music and entertainment.

Headlining the celebration at the Queen’s Hall, Narberth, was Candelas, one of Wales’ top bands, who delivered an electrifying performance. Pupils also enjoyed a vibrant DJ set from DJ Daf, bringing the Siarter Iaith mascots, Seren a Sbarc, to life with their favourite Welsh music—creating a fun and engaging atmosphere throughout the day.

The event on February 7th was co-organised by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Education Department, as part of their Welsh Language Charter work, and Menter Iaith Sir Benfro, who promote the Welsh language across the county.

Welsh Language Development Officer Catrin Phillips said: “Pembrokeshire pupils embraced the spirit of Dydd Miwsig Cymru, showing that Welsh-language music is not just thriving—it’s louder and prouder than ever!”

Dydd Miwsig Cymru is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and promoting Welsh-language music across Wales and beyond. It aims to inspire people of all ages to explore and enjoy the wealth of music created in Welsh, from traditional folk to rock, pop, and contemporary sounds.

Dathlu cerddoriaeth Gymraeg mewn steil gyda dros 1,000 o blant

Daeth tua 1,500 o blant o 31 o ysgolion ledled Sir Benfro at ei gilydd i ddathlu Dydd Miwsig Cymru mewn pedwar gig bythgofiadwy yn llawn cerddoriaeth fyw ac adloniant.

Yn arwain y dathlu yn Neuadd y Frenhines, Arberth, roedd Candelas, un o fandiau gorau Cymru, a gyflwynodd berfformiad gwefreiddiol. Mwynhaodd y disgyblion set DJ fywiog hefyd gan DJ Daf, gan ddod â masgotiaid y Siarter Iaith, Seren a Sbarc yn fyw gyda’u hoff gerddoriaeth Gymraeg—a chreu awyrgylch hwyliog a difyr drwy gydol y dydd.

Cafodd y digwyddiad ar 7 Chwefror ei gyd-drefnu gan Adran Addysg Cyngor Sir Penfro, fel rhan o’u gwaith Siarter Iaith, a Menter Iaith Sir Benfro, sy’n hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg ar draws y sir.

Dywedodd Catrin Phillips, Swyddog Datblygu’r Gymraeg: “Cofleidiodd disgyblion Sir Benfro ysbryd Dydd Miwsig Cymru, gan ddangos nad ffynnu’n unig mae cerddoriaeth Gymraeg—mae’n fwy amlwg ac yn fwy balch nag erioed!”

Mae Dydd Miwsig Cymru yn ddigwyddiad blynyddol sy’n ymroddedig i ddathlu a hyrwyddo cerddoriaeth Gymraeg ar draws Cymru a thu hwnt. Ei nod yw ysbrydoli pobl o bob oed i archwilio a mwynhau’r cyfoeth o gerddoriaeth sy’n cael ei chreu yn y Gymraeg, o ganu gwerin traddodiadol i roc, pop a chyfoes.