Fw: PR225 NEWS BULLETIN Taic/CNSA Threatened With Destruction Gaelic Medium Pre-school Groups, Gaelic Courses etc Please pass onto 50 more people both in Scotland and overseas

Subject: FW: PR225 NEWS BULLETIN Taic/CNSA Threatened With Destruction Gaelic Medium Pre-school Groups, Gaelic Courses etc Please pass onto 50 more people both in Scotland and overseas

 

 

NEWS BULLETIN

 

Taic/CNSA Threatened With Destruction

 

Bòrd na Gàidhlig is to withhold 100% of its funding from TAIC (formerly CNSA), and TAIC's work is to be given to Councils and perhaps another organisation.

 

No clear reasons for their actions have been given, and the move appears to be just a matter of intimidation and bullying on their part. However, putting all this aside, what has been obvious almost from day one of Bòrd na Gàidhlig coming into being, is their very clear cut intention to take the work for themselves by destroying CNSA/TAIC, which will put future Gaelic development in danger. 

 

The Bòrd's own agenda has blinded them to the fact that if CNSA/TAIC had not been working, the Bòrd itself would not exist because there would be no Gaelic medium education, nor any need for the services that have grown up around it.

 

The fact is, over some 28 years the CNSA/TAIC team have been responsible  for the development of more than 240 Gaelic medium pre-school groups, in   a myriad of innovative formats spread all round Scotland, that have brought children to speaking Gaelic in the most user-friendly way possible.

 

CNSA/TAIC  have  also been crucially instrumental in the development of some 60 Gaelic medium primary schools, numerous parent language courses, staff and tutor training courses that are at the forefront of international best practise. CNSA/TAIC have brought these developments forward, very often under very tight financial constraints, severe staff shortages, and outright opposition by those who want to control or restrict Gaelic aspirations.

 

It is worth noting that since Bòrd na Gàidhlig took over control from the Scottish Government with responsibility for Gaelic expansion, only two new Gaelic medium primary units have opened.

 

Returning to the central point which is the threatened demise of CNSA/TAIC and the effect on future Gaelic numbers, the following facts must be raised:

 

1)           Local councils do not have the flexibility or single minded commitment to Gaelic. Moreover, very few are prepared to take on the very specialised steps that Gaelic needs, in order to take it forward. In fact many of them have for the longest time, shown a grudging reluctance to give any money whatsoever to any Gaelic initiative. It is hard to believe that the vacuum created by CNSA/TAIC's demise, will be filled by Councils.

 

2)         If the other Gaelic agencies believe that they will be safe once CNSA/Taic is done away with, they are living in a fool's paradise. In such a scenario Bòrd na Gàidhlig having successfully flexed its muscles, and beaten what it considered to be one of its most difficult opponents, will they then hesitate to crush any sign of independence from those who are left to voice independent opinions?

 

3)         In the end there will be very few independent Gaelic agencies left, but one can be very sure, there will be another very fat, unwieldy, self important, non listening quango, answerable to no one.

 

4)         Smothering opposition, while at the same time diminishing Gaelic's horizons and ability to flourish, will certainly not give an enlightened view of what is being done to the Gaelic language and culture in Scotland, on the international scene.

 

5)          In the face of all the above, an individual can still make a difference and  if enough of us do so, things may turn out a lot better than we anticipate.           For a start one could email the minister responsible, Michael Russell, Minister for Education at Michael.Russell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk  saying that you are against this action and support CNSA/TAIC and the work that it is trying to do.

 

6)         The important point is that we make as much noise as possible; one should be aware, that assassins always like their deeds done quietly and away from public view. Therefore, drawing as much attention as possible, to what is being intended by Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the best plan.

 

7)          Contacting MPs, MSPs, newspapers, television, radio, internet, parents, families, grandparents, in fact, anyone who can help, please come forward and do so, CNSA/TAIC need all the support it can get.

 

In the end it is all about helping the Gaelic language and culture to thrive in the future in a confident, democratic and forward looking Scotland.

Getting rid of one of the longest standing Gaelic organisations that has been serving Scottish people in all spheres, will not serve either Gaelic or Scotland very well, nor will it do anything for its future. Let Gaelic flourish and let Scotland flourish!

 

For information regarding this news bulletin please contact:

 

Alasdair MacMhaoirn        Mobile   (…07547-988741

Finlay Macleoid                   Mobile   (…07789-826934

                                                  Home     (…01542-836322

                                                                   finlay@cnsa.org.uk

 

TAIC

92 Academy Street                              

Inverness Email                                    

IV1 1LU

                     

Contact;

 

oifis@bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk                                     Chief Executive

Alex.Salmond.msp@scottish.parliament.uk           First Minister

Fiona.Hyslop.msp@scottish.parliament.uk           SNP

Iain.Gray.msp@scottish.parliament.uk                   Labour

Annabel.Goldie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk       Conservatives

Tavish.Scott.msp@scottish.parliament.uk              Lib-Dems

 

 

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Is it discrimination

Is Langside college being discriminatory by asking for £0.5m for gaelic facilities and not for english facilities? Or are they charging the same for the english part of the nursery?

Letter on behalf of Linda Fabiani

Europe, External Affairs and Culture Directorate
Culture and Gaelic Division


T: 0131-244 6445 F: 0131-244 0353
E: Linda.Roberts@scotland.gsi.gov.uk







___

Our ref: 2007/0037238OR
12 November 2007


Dear

Thank you for your e mail of 31 October to Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, concerning the Little Scholars Nursery in Glasgow. I have been asked to respond.

I understand that the main campus of Langside College, within which the Little Scholars Nursery is located, is due to relocate to new premises in December 2008. This may have consequences for the continued operation of the nursery.

As far as I know, Glasgow City Council, which currently allocates funding for the provision of Gaelic-medium education in the nursery, is considering how the authority may respond to demand for Gaelic nursery provision in that area of Glasgow, should it be the case that the Little Scholars Nursery cannot be accommodated within the new college campus.

I realise that you and other parents have already voiced your concerns about the Little Scholars Nursery to Glasgow City Council. I would, however, recommend that you continue your dialogue with the Council, so that it can arrive at as well an informed decision as possible when considering the options available to it for the provision of Gaelic-medium education for this age group in the south side of Glasgow.

Yours sincerely



Linda Roberts
Culture and Gaelic Division

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
www.scotland.gov.uk

last night's meeting

What happened at last night's meeting?

HOW ARE YOU ALL FEELING?

WHAT A SHOCK LAST NIGHT WAS. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING REALLY
DEMORALISED AND WANTING TO THROW THE TOWEL IN, I KNOW I SHOULD BE
FOCUSING ON HOW TO OBTAIN WHAT WE WANT FOR THE FUTURE BUT IT FEELS THAT
IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT AND UPHILL STRUGGLE WHERE WE MAY NOT
HAVE ANYTHING AT THE END, AND I AM ASKING MYSELF IS IT GOING TO BE
WORTH IT?
IF A PRIVATE BUSINESS WAS TO TURN AROUND AND SAY WE WILL TAKE OVER THE
GME NURSERY AT LANGSIDE I WOULD JUMP AT A PLACE IN IT.IT IS NOT A LONG
TERM SOLUTION BUT ON A SELFISH NOTE IT WOULD GIVE ME WHAT I NEED FOR
THE NEXT 3 YEARS, AND I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE IN THINKING THIS.

IF OUR CHILDREN WERE IN A PRIVATE 0-5 ENGLISH NURSERY AND IT WAS
CLOSING WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER PRIVATE 0-5 NURSERY. THE COUNCIL
WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN THIS AND I THINK WE HAVE TO REALISTIC ABOUT
HOW MUCH THEY CAN BE INVOLVED AT PRESENT GIVEN THE CURRENT GUIDLINES.

Notice of Meeting

Minutes of Parents & Staff Meeting on 30/10/07

Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga Parents & Staff Meeting 7:00 pm, Tuesday 30 October 2007 Held at Little Scholar’s Nursery DRAFT MINUTES
PRESENT
Karen Barlow	Parent		Anemorè MacKenzie	Parent
Pat Donald	Parent		Gordon Miche	Parent
Jackie Hoy	Parent		Marie Morgan	Parent
Fiona Kinnaird	Parent		Iain F Nairn	Parent
Cathie MacAuley	Parent		Michelle A Nairn	Parent
Janet MacDonald	Staff		Johnny Rodger	Parent
Douglas McDougall	Parent		Marianne Rodgers	Parent
Dave MacGillvery	Parent		Catriona Scallion	Parent
Marion MacIness	Staff		Shirley Tees	Parent
Angela MacKay	Parent & Staff		Anne Wilson	Staff
APOLOGIES
Morag Connor	Parent		Kenna McCusker	Parent
Stephen Connor	Parent		Francis MacGregor	Parent
Kenneth Graham	Parent		Martin MacGregor	Parent
Leanne Graham	Parent		Elaine MacInnes	Parent
Iona Jack	Parent		Kathleen MacKay	Parent
Murdo Kennedy	Parent		Margaret MacNeil	Parent
Stuart Kinnaird	Parent

		ACTION
1	Comann nam Pàrant (CnP) The work of CnP in supporting the parents and staff of Little Scholars is very much appreciated but this meeting has been called as there is a need for both parents and staff to have a distinctive voice in negotiations on the future of Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga. The purpose of this meeting is to allow us to gather our views in order that we can express them clearly to CnP and Glasgow City Council.
2	Meeting on 7 November 2007 Jim Whannell and Peggy Macintosh of Glasgow City Council and Catriona McNeil of CNAS will be attending next week’s meeting.
3	Current Position Some parents who have contacted their MSPs and councillors have received general reassurances that alternative provision will be made but no specific information has been given and parents are greatly concerned that that the alternative provision offered may not be suitable for their needs and those of their children.
4	Holmlea Nursery The council have stated that they are looking at the feasibility of setting up a Gaelic nursery in the premises currently occupied by Holmlea Nursery on Holmlea Road, a short distance from the current location of Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga. A move to these premises would be welcomed by the parents provided that the new provision was offered on a like-for-like basis including maintenance of the current hours and age range.
5	Timescales Though the closure of Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga is planned for December 2008, it is vital that firm arrangements for future provision of its services are put in place as soon as possible. The parents recognise that Gaelic nursery staff can be hard to recruit and they are therefore very concerned about the possibility of current staff leaving as a result of their future employment being insecure.
6	New Gaelic Provision at Lyoncross Nursery The new Gaelic nursery provision being introduced at Lyoncross nursery, though a welcome addition to Glasgow’s Gaelic nursery provision in its own right, is not in any was a suitable alternative to the services currently being provided by Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga. The travelling distance to Lyoncross, the hours available at the nursery and the absence of 0 – 3 yrs provision all make this totally unsuitable for the parents and children of Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga.
7	Parent Representation The parents wish to be represented at any future meetings with Glasgow City Council. 6 member of the group were selected to form a steering group who will act as key contacts and representatives of the parents in communications with CnP and Glasgow City Council. The members of this steering group are (in alphabetical order): Jackie Hoy Fiona Kinnaird Angela Mackay Gordon Miche Johnny Rodger Marianne Rodgers The steering group will meet on Monday 5 November to prepare for the meeting on Wednesday 7 November.	Steering Group
8	Current Roll & Waiting List Any alternative provision should maintain the current nursery roll and waiting list.
9	Current Staff The current staff at the nursery have been told by Glasgow City Council that the Council does not have an obligation to offer them employment in any alternative provision that is offered to replace the current services being provided by Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga. The parents are very concerned that a sudden change to a new group of unfamiliar staff would be a significant and disruptive change for their children and they feel strongly that the current staff should be transferred to the new facility so that the children have the continuity of the staff moving with them when their surroundings change. In light of this, the parents wish to request that the move to alternative premises should be carried out as a takeover of Sgoil Araich Na Sgoilearan Beaga that would be subject to Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations in order that the current staff can be maintained.
10	0 – 3 years Provision The staff and parents would like to make clear to the Council the importance of the 0 – 3 years provision in attracting parents to Gaelic Medium Education (GME). Children’s language skill develop significantly before they turn 3 years of age and parents and staff both feel that pre-3 GME is a huge benefit to the children in developing their Gaelic. A number of parents, who do not have a Gaelic speaker in the home, stated that that they would not have chosen Gaelic Medium Education if it had only been available from 3 years of age. The pre-3 provision of GME was essential to them as they would not have felt comfortable in intensively introducing their child to a new language at age 3. The subsidy provided for 0 – 3 years places is provided by the Scottish Government via Glasgow City Council.
11	Further Questions & Comments Anne Wilson will place a box for questions and suggests in the nursery. If anyone would like to raise any additional issues at next Wednesday’s meeting, they should put a note in the box by Monday (5 November) and the Steering Group will check the box on Monday evening.	A Wilson Steering Group
12	Date of Next Meeting Arrangements for the next meeting are as follows: Date: Wednesday 7 November Time: 7:30 pm Venue: Little Scholars Nursery