Nairn parents attack councillor over his Gaelic-medium unit stance
by Paul Wilson
Press and Journal 23 11 05
Parents have accused a senior Highland councillor of burying his head in the sand over his opposition to a Gaelic medium primary school.
They said they were dismayed by Councillor John Matheson’s claim it was “the wrong time politically” to open a Gaelic medium unit at Millbank School, Nairn.
Mr Matheson, who represents Nairn Alltan and is chairman of Highland Council’s resources committee, criticised his colleagues for starting a consultation process over a new Gaelic school at the request of a large number of parents.
He said there was no Gaelic community in Nairn and that a Gaelic school could mean the town missing out on other things.
Tommy and Janice Macleod of Auldearn, near Nairn, send their child to Nairn’s Gaelic nursery school.
Mrs Macleod said: “Gaelic medium education in Nairn should have happened more than 100 years ago.
“In 1826, 62% of the people in Nairnshire spoke Gaelic. If Gaelic medium education existed then Gaelic would still be widely spoken in Nairn.
“Many people outwith the area are amazed a Highland town the size of Nairn does not have a Gaelic medium unit within a primary school.
“In fact, I think Nairn is the only Highland town of its size not to have this facility.”
Mr Macleod said: “I agree that you can’t retain a language unless it is the language of the home and the community, but I disagree that no community exists in Nairn.
“A community does exist and is thriving. Ask anyone who attends the Gaelic Choir, Croileagan (Gaelic nursery), various Gaelic language learners or the feis.
“You could also ask any other person of th 7.25% of Inverness and Nairn area who have some knowledge of the Gaelic language. I would certainly argue therefore that there is a Gaelic community in Nairn.”
But Mr Matheson yesterday stood by his opposition to the school and accused the parents calling for the Gaelic medium school of trying to ensure smaller class sizes for their children.
He said: “Simply having Gaelic primary education is not nearly enough to ensure the language will be preserved.
“We need it to be the language of the community and the language of the home.
“The danger is that once the youngsters are out of the school they will forget all about Gaelic – we need continuity throughout life if it is to be preserved.”
He said only a handful of children would be able to attend classes at the school because most people do not speak Gaelic.
More here on the P&J site
Parents have accused a senior Highland councillor of burying his head in the sand over his opposition to a Gaelic medium primary school.
They said they were dismayed by Councillor John Matheson’s claim it was “the wrong time politically” to open a Gaelic medium unit at Millbank School, Nairn.
Mr Matheson, who represents Nairn Alltan and is chairman of Highland Council’s resources committee, criticised his colleagues for starting a consultation process over a new Gaelic school at the request of a large number of parents.
He said there was no Gaelic community in Nairn and that a Gaelic school could mean the town missing out on other things.
Tommy and Janice Macleod of Auldearn, near Nairn, send their child to Nairn’s Gaelic nursery school.
Mrs Macleod said: “Gaelic medium education in Nairn should have happened more than 100 years ago.
“In 1826, 62% of the people in Nairnshire spoke Gaelic. If Gaelic medium education existed then Gaelic would still be widely spoken in Nairn.
“Many people outwith the area are amazed a Highland town the size of Nairn does not have a Gaelic medium unit within a primary school.
“In fact, I think Nairn is the only Highland town of its size not to have this facility.”
Mr Macleod said: “I agree that you can’t retain a language unless it is the language of the home and the community, but I disagree that no community exists in Nairn.
“A community does exist and is thriving. Ask anyone who attends the Gaelic Choir, Croileagan (Gaelic nursery), various Gaelic language learners or the feis.
“You could also ask any other person of th 7.25% of Inverness and Nairn area who have some knowledge of the Gaelic language. I would certainly argue therefore that there is a Gaelic community in Nairn.”
But Mr Matheson yesterday stood by his opposition to the school and accused the parents calling for the Gaelic medium school of trying to ensure smaller class sizes for their children.
He said: “Simply having Gaelic primary education is not nearly enough to ensure the language will be preserved.
“We need it to be the language of the community and the language of the home.
“The danger is that once the youngsters are out of the school they will forget all about Gaelic – we need continuity throughout life if it is to be preserved.”
He said only a handful of children would be able to attend classes at the school because most people do not speak Gaelic.
More here on the P&J site
