In our #BabyStepsIntoWelsh podcast series, Nia Parry has been talking with families about their anxieties, questions and experiences of Welsh-medium education. You can listen to and follow the series here: www.podfollow.com/babysteps
One couple who are uncertain as to the best path for their young son is politician Bethan Sayed, from Merthyr, and her husband Rahil, who works in the Bollywood film industry and hails from Mumbai in India. Nia spoke to them both to learn more about their concerns.
“I feel passionate about Welsh education. Idris is the priority, but as a Welsh woman I’m keen to ensure the future of the language.” Bethan Sayed
Bethan was raised in a bilingual family in Merthyr Tydfil, and is very proud of the great experiences she had in the Cylch Meithrin, Ysgol Santes Tydfil and Ysgol Rhydfelen. Naturally, she is keen for her young son, Idris, to have the same experiences and opportunities. Rahil was raised in Mumbai and was educated privately through the medium of English. He is keen that Idris grows up speaking Welsh, English and Hindi, but is uncertain as to whether Welsh-medium education is the best route for his son.
“I’m comfortable with Idris going to a Welsh-medium school, but I’m concerned that I won’t be able to help him with the subjects that Bethan isn’t so confident with.” Rahil Sayed.
It was wonderful to hear how Bethan and Rahil are raising Idris to be multilingual, and how he has the opportunity to regularly speak three languages with his family in Wales and India. During the chat it became obvious that Rahil is supportive of Welsh-medium education, but is concerned that he will be unable to help his son with his homework as he cannot speak Welsh himself.
“Welsh has opened so many additional doors in my career and personal life. These experiences started during my education, so saying ‘no’ to Welsh-medium education for Idris would, in my opinion, close many doors for him.” Bethan Sayed.
Although she is a politician and a member of Plaid Cymru, as well as being a campaigner for the language, Bethan emphasized that this was not the chief reason for her supporting Welsh-medium education. As an individual, her childhood experiences with the Urdd and the Eisteddfod were all important to her. She said that knowing that Idris would miss out on these experiences in an English-medium school would be a huge disappointment to her as a mother.
“Our duty as parents is to provide our children with the best tools to go out into the world and progress in real life, it’s not our duty to protect the language and culture. If we live in Wales knowing the language opens more career opportunities here at home.” Rahil Sayed.
It was great to hear Rahil sharing his viewpoint and concerns so honestly with Nia. It’s clear that he is totally supportive of the Welsh language and education and the fact that both open doors to opportunities and careers here in Wales; but at the same time it is obvious that he continues to be concerned about Welsh-medium education as he does not speak Welsh himself. Discussions continue between Bethan and Rahil, but we hope to see little Idris stepping into the Cylch Meithrin in the near future.
You can listen to the full conversation here: www.podfollow.com/babysteps. Remember to share with other families who are trying to decide which path they want their children’s education to follow.
