Russian Courses to go from Schools

Exams in Russian could be set to disappear from Scottish schools.

According to the Times Educational Supplement Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has recommended the axing of courses with a low uptake.

The SQA's plans, which are currently at the draft stage, relate to seven of the eight curriculum areas and affect a diverse range of courses, including Russian as well as Classical Greek, geology and biotechnology. Teachers have been invited by the SQA to give their response.

Only 25 candidates sat the exam for Higher Russian in 2010. While this was an increase on the 13 candidates who sat the exam in 2009, the SQA has apparently recommended the removal of Russian qualifications at all levels in Scottish schools.

Under the plans, Russian could still form part of a general language course at lower levels but its existence as a standalone offering at Scottish schools could be set to end.

While such a move would obviously affect anyone wishing to study the subject as part of their high school education, Russian language courses continue to feature on the National Learning Opportunities Database for those who want to have a go at learning the language.

At present, learning providers in Fife, Glasgow, Tayside and Perth offer courses to study Russian at various levels, meaning opportunities in the language will continue to exist. Furthermore, learners with Individual Learning Accounts can use their accounts to meet the costs of studying most of these opportunities.

But as the school curriculum develops, schoolchildren may find their opportunities to study Russian will decline as a result of the recent low uptake.