6. How many five year old children are currently attending Welsh-medium schools in Wales? OAQ(5)0080(EDU)

According to the latest data for January 2016, there are 8,804 pupils aged 5 attending a Welsh-medium school. This therefore represents a quarter of all pupils aged 5.

Can I thank the Minister for that response? As someone who has been learning Welsh for many years, I know how difficult it is to learn as an adult. The Minister has said there are 8,804 five-year-olds in Welsh-medium schools currently, which equates, assuming a life expectancy of 85 years, to something in the order of 850,000 or so—perhaps slightly under—Welsh speakers in 2097. That is, unless more five-year-olds commence Welsh-medium education over future years. Does the Minister recognise these numbers, and can he indicate how the Government intends to increase these numbers so that by 2097 we reach 1 million?

Presiding Officer, I have learned to my cost never to challenge Mike Hedges on his numbers. I did so once and I’ll never do it again. I recognise both the numbers he quotes and the broader point behind that. Can I say this? I am considering at the moment the Welsh in education strategic plans. We have not received all of them yet from local authorities, and I will make a statement on the way forward when I have received all of those completed plans. However, I will say that I am disappointed by the lack of ambition that has been demonstrated by some to date. The ambition that Mike Hedges clearly describes is one that this Government is absolutely committed to, and that means that, when we do look at our strategic plans for the future of Welsh-medium education, we will do so with a view to achieving the target of 1 million speakers. That does mean a significant increase in the number of pupils attending Welsh-medium education and that means a significant increase in the provision of Welsh-medium education. When I’m in a position to do so, I will make that statement to this Chamber.

Minister, I’ve been pleased with the robust tone that you’ve expressed in respect of the Welsh in education strategic plans, which are being developed by local authorities across Wales. You and I both share the ambition to drive up the number of Welsh speakers here in Wales, but we will never achieve that ambition unless there are sufficient Welsh-speaking teachers in our classrooms. We have a huge problem at the moment, which is beginning to develop, and is going on developing, with a massive reduction in the number of people coming through into the teaching profession who are proficient in the Welsh language and able to teach through the medium of Welsh. What action are you taking, along with the Cabinet Secretary, to entice people into the profession who are going to be able to deliver this magnificent ambition that we all share for Wales?

I think one of the answers of the Cabinet Secretary earlier about the sort of education system she’s looking at developing in Wales will in itself ensure that teachers want to teach in Wales and will find that teaching in Wales is a very attractive career option. We know that about a third of all teachers in Wales do speak Welsh, so there is some headroom at the moment. But I recognise that the more fundamental point you’re making is that we do need more teachers who are able to teach through the medium of Welsh. You will see that some of the funding that we’ve agreed through our budget negotiations will help achieve that in terms of investment in the workforce, but also investment in the workforce for early years as well. The Government’s childcare offer will also contribute to that. But, let me say this: it is important that we look—and the strategic plan that I’ll be publishing later this year for the future of the Welsh language will be a comprehensive plan that will include both the ambitions in terms of the headline numbers, but also a number of different elements that will enable us to achieve that. Workforce planning is a key part of that and a key element of that. And whilst, yes, we will focus in on teachers, we will also be focusing in on teaching support and childcare workers as well.