THE scale of the challenge to reverse Gaelic's decline is underlined by news that only 6% of the six-year target for pupils entering Gaelic medium education has been achieved.

The Government-funded Bòrd na Gàidhlig's (BnG) said the main aim of its National Gaelic Language Plan until 2017 is to increase in the number of pupils entering the first year of Gaelic medium primary schools from 400 to 800.

However, the figure had risen by only 28, or 6%, between 2012/2013.

BnG, the official development body, has seen a 16% increase in number of children in Gaelic Education between the ages of three and five, which raises hopes of improvements in future years.

It is seen as vital that the popularity of Gaelic medium education grows to replace the elderly Gaels who are dying.

All Gaelic bodies and enthusiasts are currently waiting for the results of the 2011 census due to be published in the coming months, which will show whether the serious overall loss of speakers has been stemmed by the effort and investment in the last decade.

The 2001 census confirmed the language is still in decline with the number of speakers falling by 11% over 10 years to a figure of 58,650. The figure was 92,400 when those who had some Gaelic language ability are included.

Chief executive John Angus MacKay said: "There is no denying we are aiming high in seeking to double the number of children entering Gaelic-medium education by 2017, but we welcome the challenge as it is the most certain way towards stabilising and growing the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland." He said that over the last two years the Bòrd had implemented strategic campaigns promoting Gaelic-medium education.

"We are now beginning to see results in growth in the numbers of children in pre-school and primary Gaelic-medium education. We have also intensified our promotional efforts to encourage Gaelic teacher recruitment and retention," Mr MacKay added.

Scotland has three Gaelic Medium Education (GME) schools in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh and a further 58 schools which offer GME along with English-medium education.

Three more GME schools are planned to open by 2017 in Fort William, Portree and one on the south side of Glasgow.

The Minister for Scotland's Languages, Alasdair Allan, said: "The Bòrd has set out clear and ambitious targets for the coming years that will deliver Gaelic events and learning opportunities across Scotland. Recent work has clearly demonstrated the level of interest and the growing demand for Gaelic and shows its role as a vital part of people's everyday lives as well as a lynchpin in our culture and identity."

Meanwhile, BnG reported that 17 organisations had agreed plans to promote Gaelic in their work. They ranged from the likes of NHS Highland and NHS Western Isles which might have been expected to be supportive, to Falkirk and North Lanarkshire councils.

Creative Scotland and Skills Development Scotland are also on board as are universities and the National Gallery/Museums/Library of Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park Authority is also included.

Some 73% of BnG's £5.1 million funding from the Scottish Government was spent supporting 258 bodies, projects and initiatives supporting the language.