Teaching chief appointed to safeguard the future of Gaelic (fwd)

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Teaching chief appointed to safeguard the future of Gaelic

DAVID ROSS, Highland Correspondent	December 21 2005
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/52900.html

A leading educational figure has been appointed as the first chairman of
the new statutory body established to safeguard the future of Gaelic.
Matthew MacIver, chief executive of the General Teaching Council for
Scotland, had been chosen as the chairman designate of Bord na
Gaidhlig.

Confusingly, the new Bord na Gaidhlig will replace a quango of the same
name which was set up in April 2003 to pave the way for the executive's
Gaelic language legislation. The present bord is expected to finish
office in February.

Mr MacIver, 59, is a native Gaelic speaker from Lewis. A former chairman
of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, he also chaired the Gaelic
teachers' action group which published proposals to ministers on how to
solve the chronic shortage of Gaelic teachers.

Mr MacIver will have a crucial role in implementing the 2005 act,
overseeing Bord na Gaidhlig's tasks of developing a national Gaelic
language plan; working with public bodies to develop local language
plans; and leading the national and international promotion of the
Gaelic language, culture and education.

Peter Peacock, the education minister who has ministerial responsibility
for Gaelic, said: "In Matthew MacIver, we have secured a passionate
enthusiast for the Gaelic language with a long track record in public
service who will work tirelessly to ensure the language will thrive in
future. Matt's passion for Gaelic, his contacts and influence in the
Gaelic community will prove invaluable."

Mr MacIver said: "This is an exciting time for all of us in the Gaelic
community but we also face substantial challenges. We have 58,000
speakers at present but there were encouraging signs in the last census
that showed there was an increase in the very young. It is now up to the
community to take advantage of the new statutory powers and ensure
Gaelic becomes a thriving language once again."