Arts already being ‘squeezed out’ by EBacc
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The first signs that arts and music are being squeezed out of the school curriculum by Education Secretary Michael Gove’s English Baccalaureate have emerged in a new survey by teachers’ leaders.
Figures show the amount of time devoted to art has been slashed by 16 per cent on average, as have design and technology subjects. Other subjects to emerge as victims of the new proposals are ICT with a 15 per cent cut, music 14 per cent and religious education 13 per cent.
The survey of more than 2,500 teachers was carried out by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers. Its general secretary, Chris Keates, said the survey was “further damning evidence that educational entitlements for our children and young people are being stripped away”.
The EBacc is used now only as a ranking measure for exam league tables. By 2015, Mr Gove plans to scrap GCSEs in maths, English and science, replacing them with an EBacc certificate, followed by languages, history and geography.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments