Strict Welsh-only rules in schools are being relaxed as authorities grapple with a severe staffing shortage, a council meeting has heard.
A Policy Shift Forced by Necessity
Welsh medium schools, which traditionally ban English from both classrooms and playgrounds, are now having to appoint teachers who only speak English. The move marks a significant departure from long-standing policy designed to protect and promote the Welsh language.
Councillor Dewi Owen, an independent who serves as a high school governor, told a Gwynedd Council meeting that recruiting staff in the county's Welsh-speaking heartlands was a 'huge problem'. He highlighted particular challenges in secondary schools in areas like south Meirionnydd.
'I know it is contrary to Cyngor Gwynedd's policy - but what else can you do?' Cllr Owen stated. 'Sometimes we have had to bend the rules and bring in somebody who is only English speaking.' He suggested that even retired local teachers with the right subject expertise were being considered to fill gaps.
The Scale of the Linguistic Challenge
The staffing crisis comes against a complex linguistic backdrop. According to the 2021 census, just 17.8% of Wales's population can speak Welsh. However, in Gwynedd, that figure soars to 76.3%, underlining the area's status as a stronghold for the language.
Ironically, earlier this year, Gwynedd Council announced plans to reduce lessons taught in English to 'bolster' Welsh, including proposals to scrap English language lessons in the county. The current staffing shortages present a direct contradiction to these ambitions.
Gwern ap Rhisiart, the council's head of education, acknowledged the dilemma. 'I know some schools have been forced into situations to appoint staff who are not necessarily Welsh speakers,' he said. He added that such appointees were committed to taking Welsh language enrichment courses, but admitted, 'it does worry me, moving forward.'
Broader Context of Language Enforcement
The situation highlights the tension between language preservation ideals and practical realities. In 2023, a Welsh-speaking school, Ysgol Pen-y-Garth in Penarth, South Wales, was placed into special measures after inspectors found pupils were speaking too much English.
They reported that many of the 331 primary pupils 'turn to English naturally' when chatting and were not given enough opportunities to 'celebrate their Welshness'. The contrast between that strict enforcement and Gwynedd's current pragmatic approach underscores the deepening crisis in Welsh-medium education staffing.
While plans exist to support both the language and teachers, the immediate need to keep schools operational is forcing a historic compromise. The council's challenge is to maintain the integrity of Welsh-medium education while ensuring there are enough qualified teachers to deliver it.
