Legislation – Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025
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PART 4PLANNING WELSH LANGUAGE EDUCATION AND LEARNING WELSH
National Framework
24National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh
(1)
The Welsh Ministers must prepare a framework (the “National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh”), that sets out how the Welsh Ministers will implement the Welsh language strategy’s proposals in relation to—
(a)
Welsh language education,
(b)
Welsh language provision in tertiary education,
(c)
lifelong Welsh language learning, and
(d)
acquiring the Welsh language.
(2)
In this Part references to the “Welsh language strategy” are to the strategy on promoting and facilitating the use of Welsh adopted by the Welsh Ministers in accordance with section 78 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32) (and see section 1 on what the strategy must contain).
(3)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh must, in particular, set out the steps the Welsh Ministers will take to promote and facilitate the use of Welsh by—
(a)
increasing the amount of Welsh language education provided;
(b)
improving the provision of Welsh language education;
(c)
promoting Welsh language education in “Primarily Welsh Language” category schools, in order to increase the number of pupils attending those schools;
(d)
encouraging continuity in teaching Welsh and education through the medium of Welsh between—
(i)
nursery education and education for pupils of compulsory school age,
(ii)
maintained primary schools and maintained secondary schools, and
(iii)
education for pupils of compulsory school age and tertiary education.
(4)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh must, in particular, set out the steps the Welsh Ministers will take to provide opportunities for persons of all ages in Wales to learn Welsh and to maintain and improve their Welsh language ability and usage, including (but not limited to)—
(a)
through childcare to those under compulsory school age;
(b)
through nursery education;
(c)
through tertiary education;
(d)
in the workplace and in the community.
(5)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh must also set targets on local authorities that reflect any national target in the Welsh language strategy set under section 1(1)(c).
(6)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh must include—
(a)
an assessment of the Welsh language education provided at the time in each local authority;
(b)
an analysis of the amount of Welsh language education needed in each local authority in order to meet any target set.
(7)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh may set further targets to be met by local authorities for the purpose of implementing the National Framework in each local authority area.
(8)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh may also set targets on the National Institute for Learning Welsh (see Part 5) that reflect any target in the Welsh language strategy that relates to supporting people to learn Welsh and facilitating their progress, including targets to—
(a)
increase the number of people over compulsory school age who are learning Welsh;
(b)
improve ability in Welsh amongst people over compulsory school age who are learning Welsh (by reference to the Code prepared by the Welsh Ministers under section 6).
(9)
The National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh may make different provision for different purposes, for different cases, or for different local authorities.
(10)
The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, amend subsections (3) to (8) to amend what is required or permitted to be included in the National Framework.
(11)
In subsection (1)(b) “Welsh language provision in tertiary education” means—
(a)
teaching Welsh in tertiary education in Wales, and
(b)
tertiary education through the medium of Welsh in Wales.