CELTIC LEAGUE - PRESS INFORMATION

MERVILLE SUCCESS - BRETON EDUCATION A RIGHT NOT A GIFT OF THE FRENCH!

The young people of the Nursey School of Merville and their parents have won a significant victory following the decision of Education officials to agree to appoint a Breton teacher at their school.

There is no doubt that the crescendo of protest, both within Brittany and also in the other Celtic countries, played a part in ensuring the change. However, neither the parents or their supporters should 'drop their guard' until the teacher is in post (we understand that this will be in November).

In the meantime the events at Merville have highlighted the negative stance which the French authorities display towards Breton language provision in a bilingual environment. There are other areas in which Breton teaching provision has been cut or denied and on this basis the pressure on the French central education authorities should continue.

Celtic League branches which were planning to join the protest over Merville but had not yet done so should still send expressions of concern about the denial of Breton teaching opportunities to the young people of Brittany.

Regional authorities and the Central administration will be hoping that the decision to placate the parents in the Merville dispute will dampen protest. However, if we know anything about the French and their attitude towards the minority peoples unfortunate enough to be within its borders it is that they will swiftly resume their negativity once protest diminishes.

Now is the time to step up attacks on the attitude of France towards the Breton language. The provision of Breton language teaching opportunities to the children of Brittany is a right they should enjoy freely - it is not something that should be 'in the gift of' the French!

J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League

18/10/05

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