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Poorer pupils 'shun English lit' Poorer pupils 'shun English lit'
(about 2 hours later)
English literature GCSE is not being taken by almost one in four teenagers, according to figures published by the Conservatives.English literature GCSE is not being taken by almost one in four teenagers, according to figures published by the Conservatives.
About 37% of poorer students - those entitled to free school meals - did not sit the exam in 2008.About 37% of poorer students - those entitled to free school meals - did not sit the exam in 2008.
But the number of pupils taking the subject rose in independent schools. But the number of pupils in independent schools taking the subject rose.
Overall 28% of pupils do not sit the GCSE exam - a fifth more than five years ago. The Conservatives labelled the subject's decline as "shocking". Overall 28% of pupils did not sit the GCSE exam in 2008 - up a fifth on the number five years ago. The Tories said the subject's decline was "shocking".
Conservative schools spokesman, Michael Gove, expressed concern that poorer pupils in particular were missing out on the country's cultural heritage.Conservative schools spokesman, Michael Gove, expressed concern that poorer pupils in particular were missing out on the country's cultural heritage.
The figures suggest a growing social gap in pupils learning about literature - as 30% of pupils who had free schools meals did not sit the exam five years ago, and that figure has increased. The figures suggest a growing social gap in pupils learning about literature - as 30% of pupils who had free schools meals did not sit the exam five years ago, and that figure has increased to 37%.
'Essential education''Essential education'
In contrast, only 19% of pupils not on free school meals did not take English literature GCSE last year. In contrast, 19% of pupils not on free school meals did not take English literature GCSE last year.
The figures published shows an overall decline in pupils taking the subject between 2003 and 2008 - from 23% to 28%. But the figures published show an overall decline in pupils taking the subject going from 23% who did not take it in 2003 to 28% in 2008.
However in the independent sector, the numbers taking English literature have increased in this time.
Last year almost 39,000 pupils took the subject in independent schools, compared with 47,000 students on free school meals taking the subject.
"An understanding and knowledge of English literature is something we would all consider an essential part of education to GCSE level for all pupils," said Mr Gove."An understanding and knowledge of English literature is something we would all consider an essential part of education to GCSE level for all pupils," said Mr Gove.
"It is therefore shocking that the subject is in decline to the extent that more than one in four pupils does not even sit it at GCSE.""It is therefore shocking that the subject is in decline to the extent that more than one in four pupils does not even sit it at GCSE."
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Michael Gove is talking nonsense."Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Michael Gove is talking nonsense."
"Both the English and English literature GCSEs include Shakespeare and other great works of English literature so it's wrong to say that pupils are not reading the classics."Both the English and English literature GCSEs include Shakespeare and other great works of English literature so it's wrong to say that pupils are not reading the classics.
"Last year 96% of pupils sat an exam that included English literature and more young people are achieving the higher grades in English each year," said Mr Knight."Last year 96% of pupils sat an exam that included English literature and more young people are achieving the higher grades in English each year," said Mr Knight.
Mary Bousted, leader of the ATL teachers' union, has previously warned that English as a subject is being replaced by "literacy" - with pupils reading extracts rather than complete books.Mary Bousted, leader of the ATL teachers' union, has previously warned that English as a subject is being replaced by "literacy" - with pupils reading extracts rather than complete books.
"I don't want to get misty eyed about the past, but it is clear to me that something important has been lost - for both teachers and taught," she said."I don't want to get misty eyed about the past, but it is clear to me that something important has been lost - for both teachers and taught," she said.
"And that is the heart of the subject - the subject which is dear to my heart - the subject of English.""And that is the heart of the subject - the subject which is dear to my heart - the subject of English."
There have also been fears that the types of subjects and qualifications taken by pupils can be divided by social background - such as modern languages becoming increasingly dominated by pupils in independent schools.There have also been fears that the types of subjects and qualifications taken by pupils can be divided by social background - such as modern languages becoming increasingly dominated by pupils in independent schools.