THE official opening of a multi-million pound Welsh-medium school in Torfaen shows the Assembly’s commitment to achieving one million Welsh speakers by 2050, according to education minister Kirsty Williams AM.

The Assembly Member attended the ceremony at Ysgol Panteg in Griffithstown yesterday alongside head teacher Euros Jones and members of Torfaen council, with the school opening for lessons in February.

Last year, plans were announced by the Welsh Government to boost the number of Welsh speakers and the minister is confident schools such as Ysgol Panteg can help to achieve that.

“We know that education plays a vital role in meeting the Welsh Government’s target of one million Welsh speakers,” said Ms Williams.

“It gives parents the opportunity to choose a Welsh medium education for their children and the successful team at Ysgol Panteg demonstrates the real demand for it.

“When you think back to the school starting with just 36 pupils compared to the number they now have on roll it's quite something.

“This shows the growth and demand for Welsh language education in this part of the world,” added the cabinet secretary.

Ysgol Panteg opened in 2010 and the school – part of a £20.5million investment in three new builds – is able to accommodate 420 pupils.

Euros Jones, the school’s head teacher, said the official opening of Ysgol Panteg marked the journey of the year six pupils, who are set to leave in the summer.

Mr Jones added that Ysgol Panteg used to operate from two sites, but the investment in the facilities highlights the strength of support for Welsh-medium education and the ambition for one million Welsh speakers.

“All the equipment here from the computers and the outdoor play area, every part of their school day is exciting and in one place,” said the head teacher.

“There’s so much potential with what we can do but it is up to us as educators.

“How else will it be possible to create one million bilingual Welsh speakers without buildings like this, where the education of the children is through the medium of Welsh.

“Promoting that to parents, making them realise that their English language skills don’t suffer in any way – in fact it’s a benefit to be able to speak two languages.”

Ellis Harris, 11, of Abersychan added: “I am in year six so I’ve been waiting seven years for this school.

“There was just 36 of us at the start and now there’s 349, so it’s almost increased 10 times in seven years.”

The leader of Torfaen council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said the opening was a good day for education.

“This is providing our children with the best possible facilities to learn and grow,” he said.

“As a parent and as a leader, it is a good thing to see.

“Teaching and learning is the main aspect but if they have the best possible facilities to learn in, it’s great.

“Plus it is also positive to see plans come to fruition.

"It’s not just a building, it’s a living, breathing school.

“We have gone through the difficult parts of the 21st century schools programme.

"Obviously it is controversial when you change anything but this is a positive example of it working.”