Teachers' course will cement future of Gaelic

Published on 23/04/2004 01:00

THE regeneration of Gaelic will receive a boost today with the launch of a new course for would-be teachers of the language.

A one-year postgraduate diploma in education course is planned to be offered by the UHI Millennium Institute, the body developing a university for the Highlands and Islands, in partnership with Strathclyde University. The course, which will start in August, subject to General Teaching Council for Scotland accreditation, will see students qualifying to teach in both English-medium and Gaelic-medium primary schools.

Professor Bob Cormack, the UHI principal, said: "This is an exciting development for UHI. We will be able to deliver high-quality initial teacher-education opportunities to people living within their own communities.

"Students will be able to study at a variety of learning centres across the Highlands, as well as having primary-school placements near to their home. It underlines the UHI commitment to Gaelic and will be just a first step towards greater opportunities for UHI in this rapidly developing field."

Gaelic activists have claimed previously that the regeneration of the language has been hampered by a lack of qualified teachers.

Bruce Robertson, Highland Council’s education director, said: "The future of Gaelic is dependent on Scotland having a growing pool of qualified teachers available locally. This new course will provide career opportunities and is much-needed in Highland."

In addition to Highland Council, the course is also being supported by other local councils within the region, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) and also Argyll and Bute.

It will be accessed through UHI academic partners Lews Castle College in Stornoway, Sabhal Mr Ostaig (the Gaelic college in Skye), Argyll College, Inverness College and Lochaber College.