Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean / National Gaelic Schools Debate 2018

Sixteen teams from fourteen schools are due to compete in the 2018 competition. Following on from the positive feedback received from the new competition format, all the schools will participate in debates over the two days, with the four teams with the highest points, across the two days, progressing to the final stages which will be held in Edinburgh on Tuesday and Wednesday the 27th and 28th of November 2018. The Committee welcome Agnes Rennie and Boyd Robertson who will join Iain Stephen Morrison as judges. Calum Iain Macleod, Chairman of the National Gaelic Schools’ Debate Management Committee commented: “It is hard to believe that almost twenty years have passed since the first Deasbad took place in Uist in 1999. I would like to thank the following for their support: Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, The Highland Council, Glasgow City Council, Education Scotland and for the first time, the Scottish Qualifications Authority. “Following the success of the 2017 Debate which saw Calum MacLennan and John Alasdair Bain from The Nicolson Institute emerge as the worthy winners, a high level of competition was set and we look forward to another year of interesting and thought-provoking debates.” Robert Quinn, Head of English, Languages and Business at the Scottish Qualifications Authority, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the 2018 Deasbad. The debate gives young Gaelic speakers the opportunity to hone their linguistic skills, and provides them with a platform to showcase their public speaking abilities. With 2018 being the Year of Young People, it’s right for SQA to lend its support in this way, promote engagement and cooperation between the participating schools, and encourage the promotion and use of SQA’s Gàidhlig, Gaelic (Learners) and Gaelic-medium qualifications. We want to see more young people engaging with Gaelic, and Deasbad is a fantastic way of showing the opportunities that the language opens up.” Bidh sia sgiobaidhean deug a’ gabhail pàirt ann am farpais 2018. Thèid na ceithir sgiobaidhean le na comharran as àirde troimhe chun na h- iar-chuairtean deireannach. Bidh na cuairtean deireannach air an cumail ann an Dùn Èideann air Dimàirt agus Diciadain 27mh agus 28mh Samhain 2018. Tha a’ chomataidh a’ cur fàilte air Boyd Robasdan agus Agnes Rennie a bhios nam britheamhan air a’ bhliadhna seo agus còmhla riutha bi Iain Stephen Moireasdain. Thuirt Calum Iain MacLeòid, Cathraiche air Comataidh Rianachd Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean: “Tha e duilich a chreids gu bheil faisg air fichead bliadhna on a ghabh a’ chiad deasbad àite ann an Uibhist ann an 1999. Bu mhath leam gu sònraichte taing a thoirt do na buidhnean a leanas airson maoineachadh a thoirt seachad dhuinn air a’ bhliadhna seo: Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba, Foghlam Alba agus airson a’ chiad uair a-riamh, Urras Theisteanas na h-Alba. “An-dèidh soirbheachas do Chalum MacIllInnein agus John Alasdair Bain bho Sgoil MhicNeacail an-uiridh tha sinn gu mòr a’ coimhead air adhart ri farpais a bhios a-rithist aig sàr àrd ìre.” Thuirt Raibeart Quinn, Ceannard Beurla, Cànain agus Gnìomhachas aig Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba: “Tha e na thoileachas mòr dhuinne taic a chur ri Deasbad 2018. Tha an Deasbad a’ toirt cothrom do dh’ òigridh gach cuid leasachadh agus taisbeanadh an cuid sgilean labhairt. Leis gur e 2018 Bliadhna na h-Òige, tha e freagarrach dhuinn taic a thoirt seachad anns an dòigh seo, a’ brosnachadh co-obrachadh agus conaltradh eadar sgoiltean agus a’ cur taic ri cleachdadh teisteanasan agus measaidhean Gàidhlig aig Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba, gach cuid luchd-ionnsachaidh agus fileantaich. Tha sinn gu mòr airson `s gu faic sinn barrachd òigridh an sàs sa Ghàidhlig agus tha an Deasbad cudromach ann a bhith a’ sealltainn na cothroman a tha a’ chànan a’ fosgladh an àirde dhaibh.”