Commentary on Provisions Part 1: Gaelic Chapter 2: Education Section 20: Duty to promote Gaelic education in exercising functions under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980
72.Section 20 of the Act inserts a new section 14A into the 2016 Act. In exercising its functions under the 1980 Act, an education authority must promote, facilitate and support Gaelic learner education, Gaelic medium education and the teaching of the Gaelic language in its provision of further education, and have regard to the needs and interests of pupils and prospective pupils.
73.Although section 15 of the 2016 Act imposes a duty to promote and support Gaelic medium education and learning, that relates only to provision which the education authority is already making. The duty in inserted section 14A is therefore a broader duty.