The local authority is due to discuss the issue on Monday and Cymdeithas wants to keep the schools open as a way of supporting Welsh-language communities.

The demonstration in Carmarthen

The language body says the education authorities schools with the highest percentage of small schools are also the most rural such as Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Camarthenshire, Denbigh and Powys.

In neighbouring Pembrokeshire, Cymdeithas yr Iaith is battling to keep open up to seven small primary schools in the county whose future is uncertain following the local education authority's decision to consider closing schools with fewer than 57 pupils.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Vice Chairman Aled Davies said a new "positive" attitude is required to look upon rural schools as assets to rejuvenate Welsh-speaking communities.

Plaid Cymru's Adam Price, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, has called upon Labour AM's to defend Welsh-speaking rural communities.