By Ahmed Abdelsalam
The UK Department for Education has confirmed that a Ukrainian language GCSE will be introduced in 2028, bringing the total number of foreign language GCSEs to 21. The announcement, made by Labour MP Lucy Powell, was framed as support for Ukrainian children who fled the war with Russia.
Romanian community's decade-long campaign
However, the decision has highlighted the absence of a Romanian language GCSE, even though Romanian is the second most spoken foreign language in the UK after Polish, with a community of around one million people. Romanian and Moldovan families have campaigned for over a decade for equal recognition.
Political dimension and criticism
The Department for Education has previously stated that decisions on new language GCSEs are made by independent awarding organisations, not politicians. Yet the Ukrainian GCSE was developed after a direct request from the DfE to exam board AQA, citing "exceptional circumstances" of the Ukrainian community.
Geopolitical context
Critics argue this reveals a political double standard. Schools minister Georgina Gould recently apologised to Ukrainian children who were offered Russian at GCSE, while Romanian and Moldovan children have no such qualification. Moldova faces Russian military presence in Transnistria and disinformation campaigns, and Romania's 2024 presidential election was cancelled due to Russian interference.
Impact on pupils
Teachers like Caleb Dodd in Leeds, who teaches 200 Romanian-heritage pupils, say the lack of a GCSE makes children feel undervalued compared to peers taking Urdu, Polish, Arabic, Punjabi, and soon Ukrainian.
Economic contribution
Research from Bournemouth University shows Romanians are the most economically active migrant group in the UK, with 80.4% in work and only 0.6% inactive due to illness or disability. Despite this, political rhetoric sometimes portrays them negatively, as seen in comments by Reform MP Richard Tice.
Parliamentary support
Labour MP Gareth Thomas, a long-time supporter of a Romanian GCSE, says it would fill a "glaring omission" and strengthen UK economic and diplomatic ties with Romania and Moldova. A campaign event is planned in Leeds to press for the qualification.
