§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what extra resources he intends to make available for the compulsory teaching of Welsh, particularly in non-native Welsh-speaking areas such as Gwent.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsGrants for in-service training of teachers in Welsh was increased from £223,000 in the financial year 1989–90 to £ 1 million in 1990–91. This will be further increased to £1.64 million in 1991–92. Additionally, £0.5 million is available through the grants for education support and training scheme for the appointment of specialist training advisers in each LEA and the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Areas such as Gwent will also benefit from other initiatives, supported by Welsh Office funding, to develop teaching materials for pupils studying Welsh as a second language and the award of financial incentives to student teachers.
§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what effect he expects the requirement of the national curriculum in Wales for the compulsory teaching of Welsh to GCSE level to have on the teaching of modern languages.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe national curriculum in Wales includes both Welsh and a modern foreign language. This will increase the number of pupils who study a modern foreign language. It is not intended that pupils should be required to study Welsh to GCSE level: there is the alternative for 14 to 16-year-olds of a more limited programme of study taking up about half the time of a GCSE course.
The Welsh Office has been consulting education interests in Wales about the structure of key stage 4 of the national curriculum, including the possibility of greater flexibility and choice. A copy of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.