'Uproar' when children from England want Welsh-medium education
There are calls for children in border towns to be able to be educated through Welsh in Powys.
By Alun Jones
Uproar' when children from England want Welsh-medium education
When children from towns and villages in England that border Wales want Welsh-medium education there is "fuss, uproar and opposition", a Senedd member has said.
Elwyn Vaughan, Plaid Cymru MS for Gwynedd Maldwyn, said: "Families have to appeal, complain and challenge decisions made by officials and obtain support... to push back against organisations that don't understand."
Powys council said it has a commitment to increase access to Welsh-medium education, and Shropshire council was asked to comment.
The 2027 National Eisteddfod of Wales will be held in Glantwymyn, Powys, with a catchment area extending into Shropshire.
He added: "Let us state clearly that bilingualism is something to be welcomed and that we welcome the new speakers and welcome those who happen to live across the border but who wish to re-engage with or gain access to their heritage."
He named YsgolGymraeg Y Trallwng in Welshpool as an example of a system that could work, "with numbers increasing and applications coming from Llanymynech and Pant, which are across the border".
"I know of others who live in Oswestry who travel daily to the school in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, but only after having had to campaign," he added.
"By ensuring easy and trouble-free access, levels of interest will surely increase."
Wales' education and Welsh language minister Anna Brychan said: "We need to find a sustainable resolution for learners on the border who want to access Welsh-medium schools".
Powys councillor James Gibson-Watt told the BBC: "As a county that borders a significant number of other local authorities, both within Wales and in England, it is important that these don't put hurdles or challenges in the way of learners being able to access high quality Welsh-medium education, and we will continue to work with our colleagues in neighbouring authorities to achieve this aim."