Primary Education

Gaelic Medium Education at primary school level has grown substantially since it began in the 1980s and there are 2,092 pupils in primary schools at present (2006-2007). There are 62 Gaelic units and schools in Scotland  and there are over 200 pupils (the largest Gaelic school roll in Scotland) in Glasgow's Gaelic Primary School alone. With regard to the number of pupils in each year, it is encouraging that the larger numbers are between primary one and four according to the latest figures. Although most of the units and schools are in the local authority areas of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council and Argyll and Bute Council, there are others in the large cities in the east and south of Scotland.

According to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education there has been much progress in Gaelic Medium Education in recent years. Graham Donaldson, HM Senior Chief Inspector of Education, said: "There has been progress in establishing approaches to ‘immersion’ learning that maximise children’s acquisition of the language whilst also being sensitive to pupils’ need to communicate and develop self-confidence." ('Improving Achievement in Gaelic', 2005). This means that children without Gaelic can come to a Gaelic Medium School and there is an ‘immersion’ system which will bring them to fluency through their education.

However, it is accepted that more development and expansion is required in Gaelic education in the primary schools. Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other organisations are working together to implement schemes which will provide more teachers. Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig is also producing more and more teaching materials for primary schools. Each year there are more resources, and each year the number of Gaelic pupils in primary schools rises.