At a time when Wales is grappling with questions of identity, education, and the future of its language, two major stories have converged to put the spotlight on Welsh pride and policy. The annual conference of Plaid Cymru in Swansea has unveiled ambitious new plans for education reform, while rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones has publicly reflected on his personal journey with the Welsh language, stirring a national conversation about roots and belonging.
During the conference, Plaid Cymru’s education spokesman Cefin Campbell made a headline-grabbing announcement: if the party wins the next Senedd election, it will offer up to £30,000 in payments to trainee teachers. According to BBC News, these payments are designed to match the incentives currently available in England by the end of the next Senedd term, which concludes in 2030. The scheme specifically targets priority subjects, with the intention of attracting and retaining teachers in Wales.
But this isn’t just about numbers on a paycheck. The payments come with a clear stipulation: recipients must commit to working in Wales for five years after passing their probation. This move, as Campbell emphasized, is about more than just recruitment—it’s about ensuring that those who choose to train and teach in Wales aren’t financially penalized compared to their English counterparts.
Campbell didn’t mince words about the current state of education in Wales. “Labour’s failure to get even the basics right, in literacy and numeracy, means our pupils are not fulfilling their potential,” he told the conference, as reported by BBC News. He went on to assert, “But Plaid Cymru has a plan. We will ensure our pupils catch up and reach their potential, and we will raise educational standards all over Wales.”
The party’s education blueprint also includes a new literacy and numeracy scheme aimed at setting national benchmarks, and a promise to establish a library in every primary school. The goal, Campbell said, is to close the gap with England and ensure that Wales is not left behind. “That’s why I’m proud to announce that a Plaid Cymru government will invest in the future of Welsh education by offering fair, competitive incentives to attract and retain the teachers our schools need,” he declared. “By the end of the next Senedd term, our incentive offer will match what’s currently on offer in England, ensuring that trainee teachers in Wales are not financially penalised for choosing to study and work here.”
The stakes are high. The next Senedd election, scheduled for May 2026, will see the Welsh Parliament expand from 60 to 96 members—a significant change that could reshape the political landscape. In his keynote speech at the conference on October 10, 2025, party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth made a direct appeal to voters: back Plaid Cymru if you want to “replace” Labour. He also promised universal childcare for all families with children aged nine months to four years, a pledge aimed at supporting working families and addressing early childhood education.
While Plaid Cymru’s policy proposals aim to address systemic issues in Welsh education, a more personal reflection on Welsh identity has come from one of the nation’s most celebrated sports figures. On the very same day as the conference, rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones opened up about his relationship with the Welsh language, admitting, “not speaking my own language is something that I’m not proud of.”
Jones, whose wife and three daughters all speak Welsh at home, shared that learning the language is about “knowing my roots and belonging to my country,” as quoted by BBC News. His remarks came as he participated in S4C’s Iaith ar Daith (Language on Tour), a program that pairs celebrities with Welsh-speaking mentors to explore the country and reconnect with their linguistic heritage.
Jones was joined by actor and Swansea native Steffan Rhodri—famous for his role as Dave Coaches in the comedy Gavin & Stacey. Together, they retraced the places and moments that shaped their lives, including a visit to Wern Ddu in Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, which is Jones’ mother’s family home. There, he reminisced about childhood memories and even met a distant relative still living in the area.
The journey also took them to Bonymaen Rugby Club near Swansea, a place close to Jones’ heart, and to Llandovery College, where Jones studied A Levels on a rugby scholarship. These visits weren’t just nostalgic; they were a testament to the deep ties between place, identity, and language in Wales.
In May 2025, Jones surprised presenter Alun Williams with his Welsh language skills at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2025, demonstrating his commitment to learning and using the language. The Iaith ar Daith series has also featured other well-known Welsh figures, such as actor Callum Scott Howells from Channel 4’s It’s a Sin (paired with Lisa Jên of the band 9Bach) and Melanie Walters, who plays Gwen in Gavin and Stacey, guided by fellow actor Donna Edwards from Pobol y Cwm.
Jones’ candid reflections have resonated with many in Wales, where the future of the language is a subject of both pride and concern. His story illustrates the challenges and opportunities facing those who wish to reconnect with their linguistic heritage—especially in a country where the Welsh language is a vital part of national identity, yet not universally spoken.
The intersection of these stories—Plaid Cymru’s push for educational reform and Jones’ personal journey with the Welsh language—highlights the broader themes at play in Wales today. Education, language, and identity are deeply intertwined, and the choices made by policymakers and individuals alike will shape the country’s trajectory for years to come.
As Wales prepares for a pivotal Senedd election and debates the best ways to support its teachers, students, and cultural heritage, the voices of politicians and public figures alike are helping to frame the conversation. Whether through policy proposals or personal journeys, the message is clear: the future of Wales depends on nurturing both its educational standards and its sense of belonging.
In a nation where the past and present are so closely linked, these efforts to invest in teachers and celebrate the Welsh language offer hope for a more confident, connected, and inclusive Wales.
