CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well. 

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.” 

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Union says Welsh Government has funded repairs, meals and swimming lessons but failed to address one of the biggest pressures facing schools

SCHOOL leaders have welcomed extra Welsh Government funding for repairs, free school meals and swimming lessons — but warned that pupils with additional learning needs have been overlooked.

The criticism came after the Welsh Government set out its supplementary budget for 2026-27, including £40m for school buildings and repairs, £15m to expand free school meals in secondary schools, and £2m for swimming lessons.

Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said the extra capital funding for school buildings was welcome and would “go some way to plugging the gap”.

She also welcomed the expansion of free school meals, saying no child should go hungry because of their parents’ financial circumstances.

But Ms Doel said the “significant omission” was the lack of additional funding for ALN provision.

She said: “It beggars belief that of money that has come to Wales thanks to investment into additional needs in England, not a penny has gone to support pupils with ALN in Wales.

“We have seen local authorities, directors of education and the profession united on the need for significant investment in supporting our most vulnerable learners, but this government has chosen to ignore the pleas for support.

“It calls into question whether education is a key priority for this government.”

ALN pressure

Additional learning needs provision has become one of the major pressures facing schools and councils across Wales, with rising demand for specialist support, assessments, staffing and placements.

School leaders argue that without dedicated funding, already stretched school budgets are being forced to absorb costs which can affect support for both ALN pupils and the wider school community.

The Welsh Government says the supplementary budget is designed to support key priorities, including public services, schools, health and the cost of living.

But NAHT Cymru said the absence of new ALN money was difficult to justify at a time when schools are repeatedly warning that vulnerable learners need more support.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government how much of the school buildings funding will come to west Wales and why no specific additional allocation has been made for ALN provision.