The Decline of Latin in Education

The recent decision by the UK Department for Education to discontinue the Latin Excellence Programme in state schools highlights the growing debate over the relevance of classical languages in modern education. The number of students taking Latin has drastically decreased over the years, from nearly 50,000 in 1959 to only around 5,000 projected for 2024. This decline coincides with broader educational trends where subjects considered to have practical utility, like STEM, overshadow the humanities. The necessity to argue for Latin's usefulness indicates an urgent need to reassess the value and role of classical education in shaping well-rounded students.