Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson, has slammed the decision by the Education Minister, John O’Dowd, to axe a modern languages programme for primary schools.
The Primary Modern Language Programme was introduced in 2007 to support primary schools in teaching another language. Minister O’Dowd announced at the beginning of the month that the programme would cease on 31st March.
Criticising the decision, Mr Nicholson said;
“I am disappointed that the Minister plans to terminate the Primary Modern Languages Programme by the end of March. Working in the European political arena, I recognise the merits of having a second language. Never having learned another language is something I regret.
“When it comes to speaking languages, the United Kingdom lags way behind the rest of Europe. The effect of this means that sometimes the UK is not as well represented in the Commission secretariat and other EU institutions as it could and should be.”
“A second language is hugely advantageous if you wish to live and work elsewhere in the European Union, or even when seeking partners for EU funded projects. Learning another language from a young age provides perhaps the best opportunity to achieve fluency, something our European neighbours are acutely aware of.
“I believe, with this decision, the Minister is undervaluing the benefits of language learning, in terms of skills, employability and mobility for the future. The Primary Modern Language Programme operates in 54% of primary schools across Northern Ireland, so not only will scrapping this programme leave language tutors out of work at relatively short notice, but it will also leave many children worse off.
“Furthermore, it is disgraceful that a modern language programme is being axed at the same time as the Minister for Education is approving proposals for a new Irish medium secondary school near Dungiven, which is neither viable nor financially sustainable.
“This programme should not be axed and I urge the Minister to seriously rethink this short-sighted decision.”