# Fury as Ukrainian children told to study Russian in British schools

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/fury-as-ukrainian-children-told-to-study-russian-in-british-schools/
- Published: 2026-11-05T13:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T13:38:28+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Express (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2263535/fury-ukrainian-children-told-study-russian
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, Research, Science, UK, World

## Key points

- The Government apologised over Ukrainian pupils being steered towards Russian GCSEs.
- A Ukrainian GCSE is planned for teaching from September 2028.
- First exams are expected in 2029, with the qualification open to all pupils.

## Summary

The Government has apologised to Ukrainian children who were encouraged to study Russian for GCSE because schools did not offer an equivalent qualification in Ukrainian. Schools minister Georgia Gould said some pupils had effectively been forced to choose Russian, and announced a new Ukrainian-language GCSE to recognise their skills and help them maintain ties to their language and identity.

More than 30,000 Ukrainian children have come to the UK since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Examination board AQA is developing the qualification with £340,000 in Department for Education funding; it is expected to be taught from September 2028, with first exams in 2029. It will cover listening, speaking, reading and writing, be open to all pupils, and also be offered in Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.