HC Deb 18 November 1991 vol 199 cc69-70W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to lay before Parliament the statutory order to introduce modern foreign languages into the national curriculum.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have today published the document setting out the attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum, and have laid an order which will bring this document into effect from the beginning of the next school year for pupils starting key stage 3—those aged 11 in September 1992.

The introduction of the requirements for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum will ensure that pupils follow challenging courses of study, leading to high standards and worthwhile levels of achievement by pupils of all abilities.

My right hon. Friend and I have also today laid a new order under section 3(2)(b) of the Education Reform Act which specifies in a single list instead of two schedules the languages eligible to be the national curriculum foundation subject.

Copies of all these statutory documents have been placed in the Library.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to lay before Parliament the statutory order to introduce the geography short course for key stage 4 in the national curriculum.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Following publication in March of the national curriculum geography order, I have published today a document setting out attainment targets and programmes of study for the geography short course at key stage 4 and have laid an order which will bring this document into force from August 1994.

The publication of this document will ensure that pupils who at age 14 are not taking a course in geography leading to GCSE, are offered the choice and flexibility to continue to study geography. I expect that the short course will facilitate the development of useful combined GCSE or vocational courses: for example, geography with history, economics or a modern foreign language. My aim is to create the conditions which will enable pupils to maximise their potential.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is making a separate order to introduce geography short course arrangements in Wales.