Building a Language-Friendly Environment
An inclusive approach to linguistic diversity
National and regional authorities are encouraged to give special attention to measures to assist those language communities whose number of native speakers is in decline from generation to generation, in line with the principles of the European Charter on Regional and Minority Languages. Member States are encouraged to give special attention to measures to assist language communities whose number of native speakers is in decline from generation to generation, in line with the principles of the European Charter on Regional and Minority Languages.
a) What concrete actions (if any) have been accomplished in this field since 2004?
The Education Act of 2004 states that a municipality, a region or the Ministry shall ensure education for members of national minorities in the language of the relevant minority at nursery, ‘basic’ (primary and lower-secondary) and secondary schools. Should at least eight children claim to be members of a national minority, a class of the relevant grade of nursery school may be set up; should at least ten pupils claim to be members of a national minority, a class of the relevant grade of basic school may be set up. A nursery school or basic school with the language of the national minority may be established provided that all classes have on average at least twelve pupils.
Should at least twelve pupils claim to be members of a national minority, a class of the relevant grade of upper-secondary school may be set up;
an upper-secondary school with the language of the national minority as the language of instruction may be established provided that all classes have on average at least fifteen pupils who claim to be members of the national minority.