§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of pupils sitting GCSE core and foundation subjects achieved grades of C and above in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThere is no examination by GCSE of the statutory requirements of the national curriculum at present. The national curriculum requirements for core subjects are scheduled to be examined for the first time at the end of key stage 4 in 1994, except for Welsh which will be first examined in schools where Welsh is currently taught in 1995, with foundation subjects following progressively between 1995 and 1997.
193WWhat follows are the percentages of pupils achieving a grade C or above in Welsh Joint Education Committee GCSE examinations in summer 1990.
Percentage Grade A-C1 English 43.7 Mathematics 37.6 Welsh as a 1st language 47.1 Physics 47.4 Chemistry 48.6 Biology 42.2 Geography 44.3 History 45.9 French 55.8 Music 63.3 Art and Design 46.4 PE 37.8 1 Includes an element of pupils aged 14 and 16. WJEC examinations account for approximately 95 per cent. of all GCSE entries in Wales. Technology is not examined as a single subject by the WJEC at present.