HC Deb 27 February 1991 vol 186 cc507-8W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland(a) sat and (b) passed GCSE and A-level in (i) German, (ii) Italian, (iii) Latin and (iv) Spanish in each year since 1987; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

The information requested is as follows:

(a) Numbers who sat Northern Ireland GCSE and A-level examinations:
11987 1988 1989 1990
(i) German
GCSE 871 867 1,051 1,054
A-level 200 204 175 210
(ii) Italian
GCSE 176 141 123 110
A-level 25 29 33 38
(iii) Latin
GCSE 567 468 437 389
A-level 92 102 77 88
(iv) Spanish
GCSE 991 942 997 1,022
A-level 298 263 277 342

(b) Numbers who passed Northern Ireland GCSE and A-level examinations:

19871 1988 1989 1990
(i) German
GCSE 814 865 1,043 1,052
A-level 164 170 145 190
(ii) Italian
GCSE 148 141 123 110
A-level 24 28 33 38
(iii) Latin
GCSE 553 464 431 377
A-level 81 94 72 84
(iv) Spanish
GCSE 880 937 980 1,021
A-level 220 215 227 292
1 In 1987, there were no GCSE examinations. The figures given for that year are for GCE O-level and CSE examinations. GCSE passes comprise grades A–G (O-level grades A–E and CSE grades 1–5 for 1987). A-level passes comprise grades A–E.

(c) Numbers who sat and obtained GCE O-level and A-level examinations held by examining boards outside the Province:
Numbers who sat 1987–881 Numbers who passed 1987–881
(i) German
GCE 39 34
A-level 0 0
(ii) Italian
GCE 0 0
A-level 0 0
(iii) Latin
GCE 37 37
A-level 9 8
(iv) Spanish
GCE 5 5
A-level 0 0
1 These are the latest figures available. The examinations are taken in the winter and summer terms.

Note:

These figures include students re-sitting examinations at the beginning of the 1987–88 school year.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of state secondary schools in Northern Ireland; how many of them provide GCSE and A level courses, respectively, in (i) German, (ii) Italian, (iii) Latin and (iv) Spanish; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

There is a total of 240 state secondary schools in Northern Ireland. Of these, the following numbers provide GCSE and A level courses in the subjects listed:

GCSE A Level
(i) German 64 41
(ii) Italian 7 6
(iii) Latin 41 22
(iv) Spanish 60 47

NoteThe above figures are based on Northern Ireland examination entries for 1990.