We've got a 1000 pupils secondary school at the moment and in a about 15 years time we will have double that

Dr Neville Daniel, headmaster, Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr

The number of children being taught in Welsh in Swansea is growing every year.

At secondary school level, the demand is met at Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, a school which is bursting at the seams.

It teaches 1000 pupils in buildings which are meant to hold just over 700 children.

The local authorities answer to the problem is to move Ysgol Gwyr to the bigger, and soon to be redundant site at Penlan Comprehensive.

But parents and staff say that it is not good enough and that it is high time that Swansea had two Welsh medium secondary schools.

Campaigners fight for an extra school

Parent Sian Davies said:"We're the second city in Wales and yet we have to fight to get a second Welsh school for our city.

"We only have one which is overcrowded - now the county council have known about this problem for years and I think they are basically acting too late."

Headmaster of Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr, Dr Neville Daniel also believes that the area needs two Welsh medium schools.

Limited funds

He said:"We've got a 1000 pupils in secondary school at the moment and in a about 15 years time we will have double that.

"If we don't get it right this time we will be revisiting this problem in five to six years time."

The council has insisted that it has only a limited amount of money available and that it is trying to ensure that the funds are used efficiently.

Many parents believe that the council's ideas are short-sighted and seriously threaten the development of Welsh medium learning in Swansea.