Launch natural history GCSE in England now, campaigners urge Labour
Launch natural history GCSE in England now, campaigners urge Labour
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Environmentalists say new course could be delayed until 2030 because it is viewed as Conservative party initiative. Leading environmentalists have called on the government to introduce a natural history GCSE immediately, amid fears it could be postponed until 2030.
The previous Conservative administration had supported creating the GCSE, which would teach pupils how to observe, identify and classify plants and animals. However, campaigners have claimed the plans had been shelved by Labour because the qualification was seen as a “Tory initiative”.
In a letter to the Times, leading environmentalists – including the conservation campaigner Mary Colwell, the former Green MP Caroline Lucas and the film producer Alastair Fothergill – urged the government to act now. “The proposed GCSE in natural history, which was agreed by the last government but not finalised before the general election, has been stalled by Labour and it may be delayed by four or five years if it is subject to the government’s curriculum and assessment review,” the letter read.
“The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and children are more removed from the natural world than at any time in history. This qualification is designed to reconnect young people with nature and to give them the skills and knowledge needed to put right the crisis we are facing.
