Gaelic Medium Education

Gaelic Medium Education (GME) is an option within Scottish education which gives children and young people an opportunity to become fluent in Gaelic while fulfilling the aims and goals of the Curriculum for Excellence. In 2022. GME can be delivered via a dedicated Gaelic school (also known as Gaelic Medium schools or free-standing provision) or delivered alongside English medium provision. 

Early Learning and Childcare 

In 2022, there were 56 Gaelic Medium early learning and childcare providers across Scotland. Of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland, only 12 had Gaelic Medium early learning and childcare providers, and the highest proportion of these were in Na h-Eileanan Siar (32%) and Highland (29%). In Glasgow City Region there were five Gaelic Medium early learning and childcare providers, three run by the local authority and two partnership (private) run. 

Since 2013, there has been a 18% decrease in the number of Gaelic Medium early learning and childcare providers across Scotland.

Primary Education 

In 2022, there were 3,781 primary pupils across Scotland receiving gaelic medium education in 14 local authority areas. The highest proportion of primary pupils receiving gaelic medium education was in Highland (1,110 pupils), Na h-Eileanan Siar (790 pupils), and Glasgow City Region (740 pupils).

Secondary Education 

In the same year, there were 1,636 secondary pupils across Scotland receiving gaelic medium education in ten local authorities. For one fifth of pupils (19%), Gaelic was the only subject taught through the Gaelic language (all other subjects were taught in English) while most pupils (81%) received other subjects taught through Gaelic.

Notes

Data is from the 2022 annual school pupil census published by Scottish Government in March 2023. 

This page was updated June 2024.