The Government will introduce a new GCSE in Ukrainian, with the qualification set to be taught from September 2028 and first assessed in 2029.
The Department for Education announced that pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to study Ukrainian at GCSE level, with the qualification assessing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, similar to other modern foreign language GCSEs. The course is aimed at young people displaced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the government hopes it will help students preserve their cultural heritage.
Background and Design
The move follows reports that the number of people taking Russian GCSEs had spiked in recent years, potentially because Ukrainian students took up the subject in the absence of a Ukrainian qualification. However, it was reported last year that Ukrainian officials were "deeply concerned" at potentially retraumatising displaced teenagers by pushing them to learn Russian.
The qualification, designed by examining board AQA, will be available to all pupils, not just those displaced by the war.
Official Reactions
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said it was "right" for Ukrainians and their children to have "every opportunity" to maintain a connection to their heritage. She said: "This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine."
Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Andrii Butenko added: "Today marks an important milestone towards the introduction of a Ukrainian GCSE, long called for by the Ukrainian community in the UK. British schools opened their doors to thousands of Ukrainian children following the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, and we will always be grateful for that."
Impact and Support
The Government said the introduction of the new GCSE displays the UK's "enduring support for the Ukrainian community". It follows the Government's announcement last week that it would provide a further £10 billion of economic and military support for Ukraine, in what is its largest ever package of financial backing for the country.
