“It would appear that the discussion over a bilingual education or a fully welsh education is dividing opinion. In my opinion there is insufficient focus on English as the primary medium for education and other languages as secondary. As a divisive issue we are forgetting the importance of the global outlook and in danger of becoming increasingly parochial in outlook. I for one will be hoping that I can source private education to remove the threat and ensure there is a well balanced education for my children that may include Welsh, however I believe Mandarin, French, German & Spanish are of much more use in the wider global community. For inward investment we require to bolster our economic viability for the future, West Wales is in danger of losing out to other English Speaking regions as all employers have educational needs for their workforce. Welsh is a fantastic language that should be preserved and maintained and bolstered in areas of importance....but do we really need road signs in Welsh?”

“will welsh only help you get a job outside wales. Answer-no
it should be duel Language in school's , Welsh and ...?”

“I received a 2B education when I was in school, and I went through a welsh stream. We had two welsh classes two english classes and a bilingual half and half class, the only lessons I ever did in English was English and science, so I believe I received a welsh education. I believe myself to be a very capable welsh speaker and even teach through the welsh language today. The school was extremely welsh even though we had two english streams, and I did speak mostly welsh in school as I had the choice, I admit whenever we were forced to speak welsh we would rebel and speak english, and I believe this is what will happen if we are forced into a 2a school. What is so wrong with 2B? Those who want to do all of their subjects through the medium of welsh are capable of doing it and those who want an English or bilingual education can do that too. What is the problem?”

“There was once an excellent secondary school in the Gwendraeth Valey. Gwendraeth County High School.
There were, and continue to be vast acres of surrounding land for expansion.
Unfortunately this excellent venue lost out during the last educational restructuring to political elitism surrounding the then former Gwendraeth Grammer School.
The infrastructure around the Gwendraeth limits further expansion.
I question whether political elitism today rules out logical and geographical consideration of utilising the Pontyberem venue, now a primary school and resource centre as part of the latest Gwendraeth educational restructuring.”

“In reply to the article regarding secondary education in the Gwendraeth Valley, I would like to point out that if there is to be one school in the Gwendraeth Valley and that school is a 2A school it will mean no choice for a significant number of children.
Sioned Elin states that.... "If it is decided that the school will be a category 2B then that choice will be taken away from us.¿ This is not true. A 2B school would allow for Welsh and English medium education to thrive alongside one another. ALL pupils would have a choice of education in their preferred language.
Ms Elin goes on to state that ¿In a category 2A school 80 per cent of classes are taught through the medium of Welsh. A 2B school is classed as bilingual.¿ May I point out that it is the 2A category that is classed as bilingual by the Authority. This is obviously very misleading.
Can I also pose a question in relation to what Executive Board Member for Education Gwynne Wooldridge said about it being down to the schools to decide the language lessons are taught in?
He states that when the school is established
¿...the teachers, governors and parents can sit down and decide what they want. They will decide which language policy is most appropriate...... It is up to schools to make the decision."
This is news to us. When are we going to be able to decide? Before the new school opens? After it has opened? Please enlighten us.
Ms Anthony, in her response to Ms Elin, states quite rightly that there is a strong Welsh ethos at Ysgol y Gwendraeth. We may not insist that the language is spoken by everyone but we positively encourage it at all times.
It may be as Heather says that the Welsh language is one that ¿......every welshman/woman should be proud to speak! ¿ I am proud to do so every single day ¿ with my family, my friends, my colleagues and my pupils.
However, let us not forget that many pupils in the Valley may not be able to cope with Welsh medium education. Speaking Welsh and having to study through the medium of Welsh are very different. There are some that cannot manage two languages because they have specific learning needs. Do we penalise these children for this lack of ability? There are others that have non Welsh speaking parents who believe that they can better support their children through their secondary education in English. There are some who simply choose English as their preferred language.
There should be choice for all children and parents in the Gwendraeth Valley.”