I AM writing with regard to the article in the Free Press on July 16 concerning the changes to school transport provision by Newport council. Every local council in Wales has a legal obligation to provide Welsh medium education to children whose parents request it. Newport council provides Welsh medium nursery and primary education, but chose to shirk its responsibilities to provide Welsh medium secondary education within Newport and decided instead to send pupils to Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw in Pontypool.

Now, because of its own failures, Newport council is going to financially penalise families whose children wish to attend sixth form. The change in policy will prevent many Newport children from accessing post 16 education through the medium of Welsh.

Reading through the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 it would appear that this action by Newport council may well be illegal and I urge all parents of children that will be affected by this change in policy to write to their AMs and the Minister for Education.

Glyn Davies Old Penygarn Pontypool