Delay in Start of Sign Language GCSE is a ‘Disgrace’
The British Sign Language GCSE faces delays, frustrating the deaf community and advocates.
British Sign Language,
GCSE,
Deaf Community,
National Deaf Children’s Society,
England,
UK
St Albans: The British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE won’t be ready by September 2025. It may take several more years to finalize the course.
The government announced in 2023 that this qualification would be available in secondary schools starting in 2025. However, plans for a similar course in Wales have been scrapped due to challenges.
This two-year course will teach students to use BSL, the fourth most widely used language in the UK. Passing the exams will earn a level two qualification.
Many in the deaf community are frustrated by these delays. Charities like the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) have campaigned for this GCSE for over a decade.
Susan Daniels, CEO of NDCS, expressed that there’s no reason for the delay. She said deaf young people have been left in limbo, calling it a disgrace.
She added that they have been seeking updates from the Department for Education but haven’t received any information. They want the government to ensure the GCSE is available as soon as possible.
GCSEs are open to anyone, so a BSL qualification could help hearing parents communicate with their deaf children.
Ruth Taunt and her husband are learning BSL for their daughter Olive, who is four. Their training has cost nearly £8,000, which isn’t affordable for many.
Ruth believes parents should communicate with their children. She thinks a BSL GCSE would be a game-changer for families, especially for Olive.
She noted that it’s more likely to meet a deaf person than to need to speak French or Spanish in England. There are about 151,000 BSL users in the UK, with around 87,000 being deaf.
Rosejyn Mbae wants to take the GCSE to communicate better with her daughter Claire. She believes it’s important for deaf children to have people to talk to.
Claire seeks independence, wanting to take the bus and shop alone. Without community understanding of BSL, this will be difficult for her.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education stated they are working with experts to ensure a balanced curriculum. They aim to deliver the BSL GCSE quickly while maintaining quality.
Ofqual is finalizing assessment arrangements for public consultation. They emphasize the need for a well-designed GCSE that meets the needs of BSL learners.
With much work still needed, neither the Department for Education nor Ofqual could confirm a new date for the GCSE.