That the Parliament congratulates Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on the increase in the proportion of P1 pupils enrolled in Gaelic Medium Education (GME) across the Western Isles, with 57% of children entering GME in 2025, which is the highest level recorded to date; commends what it sees as the extensive work carried out by the Comhairle, parents, and local communities in promoting Gaelic as a positive and valuable choice for young people, especially since the introduction in 2020 of the local authority’s policy of Gaelic as the default medium of education; recognises the importance of GME in securing the future of the language in the Western Isles, which are reportedly likely to be designated as areas of linguistic significance under the Scottish Languages Act 2025, and further recognises what it sees are the benefits that this brings to cultural heritage, community life and the future of the Gaelic language.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Rona Mackay, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance