Ghabh a’ chuairt dheireannach de Dheasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean Ghàidhlig 2024 àite air Diardaoin 28mh Samhain aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. B’ iad na sgiobaidhean a bha a’ gabhail pàirt Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu agus Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh agus iad a’ deasbad air a chuspair ‘S e AI a shàbhalas a’ Ghàidhlig’.
Bha Seòmar Comataidh a h-aon aig a’ Phàrlamaid loma-làn agus abair gun d’ fhuair an luchd-èisteachd deasbad a bha beòthail, smaoineachail agus èibhinn.
‘B e blìadhna air leth sònraichte a bha ann an 2024 dhan Deasbad agus a’ chomataidh a’ comharrachadh còig bliadhna fichead on a ghabh a’ chiad fharpais àite ann an 1999.
Tha mòran air pàirt a ghabhail thar nam bliadhnaichean agus e air fhaicinn mar aon de na tachartasan as cudromaiche airson ginealach ùr de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig ann an Alba.
Airson a’ mholaidh air an oidhche bha Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu agus an aghaidh a’ mholaidh bha Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
Gu dearbha bha là trang dha rìreabh aig an dà sgioba is iad ag ullachadh mu choinneamh a’ chuairt dheireannach.
Bha obair chruaidh mu choinneamh nam britheamhan; Iain MacAmhlaigh, Joy Dunlop agus Aonghas MacIllinnein. Ach chaidh an oidhche le sgoilearan Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh!
Bha cuideachd an Duais airson an Òraidiche as fhèarr ri thoirt seachad agus ‘s e Fionnlagh Moireasdan bho Àrd-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu a ghlèidh an sgiath air a’ bhliadhna seo.
Is e Iain MacLeòid a thug seachad an duais as leth a’ BhBC.
Thuirt Evelyn Coull NicLeòid as leth Comataidh Rianachd Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean:
“Bu mhath leam gu sònraichte taing a thoirt do na buidhnean a leanas airson maoineachadh a thoirt seachad dhuinn air a’ bhliadhna seo: Spiorad na Mara, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd, Leasachadh Sgilean na h-Alba, Foghlam Alba, Comhairle Baile Ghlaschu agus Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig.
“An-dèidh soirbheachas do Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh agus sàr ìre de dheasbad tron fharpais air fad tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri 2025!”
Thuirt Iain MacAmhlaigh as leth na britheamhan:
“Mar bhritheamhan, bha sinn air leth toilichte le ìre an deasbaid am-bliadhna.
“Cuspairean inntinneach, sgoilearan air an deagh dheasachadh aig luchd-teagaisg agus pàrantan, sgiobaidhean bho sgìrean dùthchail agus bhailtean mòra a’ gabhail pàirt agus e follaiseach gu bheil ùidh agus uaill shònraichte aca uile anns a’ Ghàidhlig.
“Ar beannachd aig Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh a bhuannaich an fharpais.
“Bha iad gu math airidh air ach bu chòir dha na trì sgiobaidhean eile a ràinig an ìre seo a bhith gu math uasal àsda fhèin cuideachd.
“Chùm iad ceann a’ mhaide ri chèile! Canaidh mòran de na bha an sàs anns an Deasbad thar nam bliadhnaichean gur e càil cho feumail a thaobh leasachadh sgilean sa rinn iad riamh.”
Thuirt Jennifer Snowball, Ceannard Leasachadh Cruinneil, Offshore Wind, Northland Power:
“Bha e na thoileachas dhuinn taic a thoirt do Dheasbad Nàiseanta nan Sgoiltean Gàidhlig airson a’ chiad uair am-bliadhna, a sheall gu sgoinneil a’ Ghàidhlig mar eileamaid dheatamach de dhualchas na h-Alba.
“Tha na sgiobaidhean air fad uile rim moladh airson an obair chruaidh agus an dìcheall tron fharpais, agus math a rinn Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh a thug dhachaigh an duais.”
Portree High School Win Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Àrd-sgoiltean Ghàidhlig 2024
The final of the National Gaelic Secondary Schools Debate 2024 took place on Thursday 28th November at the Scottish Parliament.
The participating teams, Glasgow Gaelic School and Portree High School debated on the topic ‘AI will save the Gaelic language’.
Committee Room One at the Parliament was packed and the audience was treated to a lively, thoughtful and at times humorous debate.
Debating for the motion were Glasgow Gaelic High School and against the motion were Portree High School.
Both teams had a busy day preparing ahead of the prestigious competition which was first held in 1999.
Judges Iain MacAulay, Joy Dunlop and Angus MacLennan selected Portree High School as the competitions winners.
The judges had a difficult task in reaching a decision as both teams were very strong.
The prize was given by Head of Offshore Wind Development, Jennifer Snowball.
Also up for grabs was the Best Speaker award and this year, the recipient was Finlay Morrison from Glasgow Gaelic School who was presented with the award by Iain MacLeod from BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
Evelyn Coull MacLeod on behalf of the National Gaelic Schools’ Debate Management Committee added:
“I would like to especially thank the following funders: Spiorad na Mara, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Skills Development Scotland, Education Scotland, Glasgow City Council and Stòrlann Nàiseanta.
“After Portree High School’s success and an impressive level of Debate throughout the competition we are looking forward to 2025!”
On behalf of the judges, Iain MacAulay said:
“As judges, we were delighted with the standard of the debate this year. Interesting topics, pupils well prepared by teachers and parents, teams from rural areas and big cities taking part and it is obvious that they all have a special interest and pride in Gaelic.
“Congratulations to Portree High School who won the competition.
“They really deserved it but the other three teams that reached this stage should be very proud of themselves too.
“They stuck together!
“Many of those who have been involved in the Debate over the years will say that it is fantastic for developing their skills.”
Jennifer Snowball, Head of Global Development, Offshore Wind, Northland Power added:
“It’s been our pleasure to support the National Gaelic Schools’ Debate for the first time this year, which so brilliantly showcased Gaelic as a crucial element of Scottish heritage.
“Well done to all of the teams who took part and for your hard work and dedication throughout the competition, and well done to Portree High School who took home the trophy.”
