The new Centre for Teaching Excellence will include a “Gaelic hub” at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
Education secretary Jenny Gilruth made the announcement to coincide with a visit to the college - the national centre for Gaelic language and culture - where she said the Scottish government was “a strong supporter of Scotland’s indigenous languages”.
Ms Gilruth met with the college’s staff yesterday to discuss how the new centre could provide opportunities for Gaelic teachers across the country.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, based in Sleat on the Isle of Skye, is billed as the world’s only centre of higher and further education that provides learning programmes entirely through the medium of Gaelic.
The education secretary’s visit came days before , which gets underway on Monday.
Shona Cormack, head of teacher education at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, said: “We are delighted to be working with our colleagues at the University of Glasgow to establish the centre and to have Gaelic education recognised as a core area in the new centre’s work.
“We look forward to working with Gaelic teachers to identify priority areas for development and to provide access to professional learning based on the latest research that will positively impact teaching and learning in Gaelic classrooms across the country.”
Centre for Teaching Excellence’s target opening date
In November, Tes Scotland reported that the aim was that the Centre for Teaching Excellence would be up and running in spring 2025. The Scottish government has been asked for an update on progress.
Ms Gilruth also visited Broadford Primary while on Skye, to hear from staff and pupils about the English and Gaelic education it provides, as well as plans for a new school and community hub on the site.
The education secretary said that Sabhal Mór Ostaig’s unique position of providing learning programmes entirely through Gaelic was “internationally respected”.
She added: “The Scottish government is a strong supporter of Scotland’s indigenous languages and encourages bodies and communities to work together to support and promote Gaelic language and culture.”
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