Senedd unites to pass 'historic' education bill

A BILL has been passed by the Senedd which it is said will help raise standards in learning Welsh.

- CHRIS HAINES

Senedd members voted unanimously to pass the Welsh language education bill, which aims to ensure all pupils become confident Welsh speakers by the end of compulsory school.

Welsh language minister Mark Drakeford said the bill will open doors for pupils, offer job opportunities, provide access to the rich culture of the language and allow people to use Welsh in their everyday lives. He said it would open a new chapter in the history of Welsh education.

Under the bill, three school categories will be created - primarily Welsh; dual language; and primarily English, partly Welsh - with targets for each for a minimum of Welsh education.

The bill would also put the target of reaching at least a million Welsh speakers on a legal footing and establish the National Welsh Language Learning Institute.