71.Section 19 of the Act modifies the 1980 Act so it is clear that the provision of Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education comes within the definition of school education, and that therefore an education authority’s duty to secure the provision of adequate and efficient school education for the authority’s area may include Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education (inserting definitions of those terms into the 1980 Act to be consistent with the 2016 Act). This no longer applies only in Gaelic-speaking areas (which was not defined in the 1980 Act, resulting in potential uncertainty). The teaching of the Gaelic language as part of an education authority’s duty to provide further education also no longer applies only in Gaelic-speaking areas.
Commentary on Provisions Part 1: Gaelic Chapter 2: Education Section 19: General duty to provide education includes Gaelic education