A visit to two Gwynedd schools by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Lifelong Learning and the Welsh Language saw them praised pioneering work to promote the social use of Welsh.

Alun Davies AM visited Ysgol Abercaseg and Ysgol Pen-y-bryn in Bethesda to see how the pupils benefit from the Gwynedd Schools’ Welsh Language Charter. He saw how the schools implement the language charter and encourage the use of Welsh outside the classroom.

Mr Davies said: “The government has set an aim of ensuring a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Our schools and children have a vital part to play in helping us achieve this aim – they are the future of our language and our nation.

“It is essential that our children and young people are confident, happy and eager to use Welsh in any context. The Language Charter has proven to be successful in doing this, and the programme is vital in ensuring our children’s Welsh identity.”

During his visits Mr Davies was given a presentation on how the language charter is implemented. In addition, the Minister spoke with Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen Year 7 pupils to discuss how the social use of Welsh is promoted across primary and secondary schools.

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We were really pleased to have an opportunity to demonstrate the fantastic work that takes place in our schools to promote the use of Welsh. It was a good opportunity to show the practical steps taken to ensure that the Welsh language is given its rightful place in the school and beyond.”