The pitfalls of difference

As the Scots embark on a last push for independence, the other members of the union look on wistfully. The Welsh in particular make no secrets of their desire for more autonomy. This is all well and good up to a point. Unlike the Scottich, the Welsh have the added complication of their language. As a badge of cultural identity their language has become something upon which to dangle incentives. A new £ 8.5 million Welsh medium Primary School is scheduled for Mid Wales as I write. I wonder whether planning would have been granted if it had been English?

I make this point because we are today reminded of the gulf in standards between Wales and the other members of the union. Education is being delivered poorly in the Principality if the latest figures are anything to go by. We need to question why that should be. Bringing children up with two languages has known benefits to the future acquistion of languages. That is not in dispute here. What the extra language happens to be is of less relevance. The current drive to rekindle the Welsh language comes after the recent census demonstrated it's continued decline. The powers that be in Cardiff are aware that a vibrant Welsh language promotes a separate Welsh culture thus strengthening the case for independence.

While England could weather life without Wales, I'm not so convinced the opposite could be claimed. The over reliance on local government in Wales continues to compromise their progress. They need to grow their private sector if they are to achieve this. This starts in the class room. There are never going to be enough public sector jobs for every Welsh speaking child so the Welsh Assembly needs to start supporting the private sector. Otherwise, the existing trend of a Welsh education which ends up with a working life in England looks set to continue.

The Welsh education system may well be ticking the boxes on language but they are lagging behind in the skills which will secure employment. Numeracy, science and reading skills are the worst in the country. This is no coincidence. The existing obsession with the Welsh language is starting to cost the Welsh in the areas which really matter. The figures don't lie. As laudable as cultural identity is, jobs are more practical for a country seeking to forge a stronger identity.