Science Education Becoming Less Priority In Primary Schools? Students Unprepared For Secondary Education?

Science is being pushed to curriculum peripheries in the primary levels, leaving students ill-equipped for the demands of secondary school. Despite being core requirement, science alongside foreign language subjects are being de-prioritized to favor English and math.

Science, Foreign Language Preparations for GCSE

According to BBC News, Ofsted Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw cites intention by the UK government to have new 2016 secondary school students fully tested for English Baccalaureate subjects. These will be during the students' qualifying GSCE come 2020.

The English Baccalaureate suite assesses student qualification for math, history, geography, English, foreign language and science. English Baccalaureate suite is a means by which the UK government aims to improve the academic achievements of the student populace.

Ofsted Guilty Of Marginalizing Science, Foreign Language In Primary School Level

However, TES reports that Sir Michael Wilshaw admits that the aim is not effectively supported, especially in preparations for science and foreign language qualifications. According to the chief inspector, hours that ought to be allocated for learning science and foreign language and arts are sacrificed for math and English and Ofsted is partly to blame.

This creates an imbalance, not just in relation to the standards of GCSE and similar qualifying requirements but also in the balance of the curriculum. Science is supposed to be a core subject for both primary and secondary schools.

The 2015 GCSE results reflected a concerning reality on the science and foreign language education both in primary school and secondary level. As little as 74% qualified in science for English Baccalaureate, despite this subject being core to primary and secondary education. The 2015 GCSE result also showed that less than half of the assessed pupils learned foreign language.

Restoring Priority To Science And Foreign Language In Primary School Level

Sir Michael Wilshaw acknowledged that the balance of science and language inclusion needs to be restored in the primary school level. If the English Baccalaureate is to an effective rather than superficial standard, schools must be allowed to restore equal priority to science and foreign language in the primary school level.

The general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, Russell Hobby, agrees with the call to restore allocation for science and foreign language in primary schools. Russell Hobby highlighted that science, foreign language and arts are just as essential to a primary education.