THE Welsh Language Commissioner has criticized Ceredigion County Council for failing to meet Welsh Language Standards in its consultation process over the proposed closure of Ysgol Llangwyryfon, a Welsh-medium school. This oversight has prompted concerns over the potential impact on the use of the Welsh language among children in the rural area.
In a recent letter addressed to Mr. Nudd Lewis, the Chair of Governors at Ysgol Llangwyryfon, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones emphasized that the council’s consultation document did not properly account for the impact of the school’s closure on the use of Welsh as the primary language in the playground. If the school closes, students would be relocated to Ysgol Llanilar, where Welsh is not as widely spoken among pupils.
The council, in its correspondence with the Commissioner’s office, acknowledged its failure to comply with the Welsh Language Standards. It committed to revising the Impact Assessment, ensuring it aligns with the requirements, and publishing the updated version. The council also promised to extend the consultation period to allow for further community feedback, a decision welcomed by the Commissioner.
Due to the council’s willingness to rectify its mistakes, the Welsh Language Commissioner decided that a formal investigation would not be necessary. “The council’s commitment to address these issues promptly makes an investigation redundant,” stated Efa Gruffudd Jones.
The future of Ysgol Llangwyryfon is part of a broader review of rural schools in Ceredigion, with Ysgol Craig-yr-Wylfa and Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn also facing potential closure. An upcoming consultation concerning Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn in Ponterwyd is expected later this month, following preliminary discussions with the Church in Wales.
The handling of the consultation process has drawn criticism from local community groups. Jeff Smith, Chair of the Ceredigion branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, condemned the council’s approach: “This is another instance where the council has pushed forward with school closures without fully considering their impact or exploring alternative solutions. The council should halt these consultations and engage in genuine dialogue with the communities to find a way forward that respects the needs of rural Welsh speakers.”
Local councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans expressed disappointment in the council’s approach but welcomed the efforts to amend the consultation process. “It is regrettable that the council did not comply initially, but I am pleased that they are now taking steps to correct this oversight,” he said.
The consultation period, initially launched on October 14th, has been extended after it emerged that the necessary documents were not uploaded to the appropriate section of the council’s website until the following evening. This delay and subsequent extension have heightened scrutiny over the council’s adherence to consultation protocols, with a formal complaint already lodged with the Welsh Government’s Education Secretary.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s complaint alleges that the council’s primary motive for the school closures was financial, rather than prioritizing the educational needs of students. They argue that the council failed to give due consideration to alternatives in the early stages of planning, potentially undermining the spirit of fair consultation.
As the debate continues, the future of Welsh-medium education in Ceredigion remains uncertain, with local communities advocating for decisions that will preserve the linguistic heritage of the region.
