§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he is taking to promote the study of Latin and Greek in secondary schools;
(2) what assessment he has made of the role of Latin and Greek teaching within the school curriculum.
§ Mr. John MacKayI fully recognise the value of Latin and Greek in the development of linguistic and literary skills in pupils who have the necessary aptitude. A standard grade course in Latin has been introduced this year for first examination in 1988 and a national development officer has been appointed to help provide support for it. It is intended that there should also in due course be a standard grade course in Greek.
More generally, the Consultative Committee on the Curriculum is currently considering what advice might be given to education authorities on the place of Latin and Greek in the secondary school curriculum in the context of a forthcoming policy statement on the teaching of languages other than English. I hope that the CCC's advice will he helpful to authorities, which are responsible for decisions on the provision of these subjects in the light of the continuing fall in demand for them from pupils and of the availability of resources.