2. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Education about promoting the use of the Welsh language through the education system? OAQ54854

I meet regularly with the Minister for Education. We had another meeting this week to discuss aspects of Cymraeg 2050 relating to her portfolio, and, following the consultation on the Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (Wales) Regulations 2019 and the associated draft guidance that went out to consultation, we'll be holding a conference now in March to discuss planning and promoting Welsh in education.

Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I've been contacted by parents, and I'm continuing to be contacted by parents in increasing numbers, who are concerned that there are no discrete ALN classes in Welsh medium schools in my constituency, and they feel that their children are put at a disadvantage and are unable to access education in the language of their choice as a result. What discussions have you had around ensuring adequate provision of ALN education in discrete classes through the medium of Welsh in Cynon Valley, but also across Wales?

Thank you very much, Vikki. Just to let you know that the education Minister has offered to meet you to discuss this further, but just to let you know that within the new Welsh in education strategic plans there is a provision that demands that ALN is taken into account. So, that is something that has been strengthened. I know that this is something that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is aware of. They had a meeting in December. So, this is an issue that they understand needs to be addressed, but it is certainly something that would concern us, I think, to think that there wouldn't be that provision. Absolutely, ALN needs to be accessible through the medium of Welsh as it is through the medium of English. 

Minister, I'm sure you will join with me in congratulating Ysgol y Preseli in my constituency. As you know, it's a Welsh-medium secondary school graded second in Wales, according to The Sunday Times school guide this year, for its excellent performance. It's important that other schools learn from Welsh-medium schools such as Ysgol y Preseli in terms of promoting the use of the Welsh language through the education system. So, can you tell us, in the discussions that you have had and are having with the education Minister, how you as a Government ensure that other schools can benefit from the excellent work that Ysgol y Preseli is doing in promoting the Welsh language?

Thank you very much. May I too congratulate Ysgol y Preseli, which has been developing over the years? I know that in the past they had a good reputation. They went down a bit, but they have gone up once more, and we're very, very pleased with the difference that they're making to the pupils in that area. Of course there's an opportunity to learn, and one of the things that we're doing is to ensure that these networks across the centres provide opportunities for people to learn from each other, in particular through the medium of Welsh. This certainly is something that is looked at in that area specifically.