Quinn unveils plan to transform maths and reading [Independent.ie]
- Published: 09 July 2011
PRIMARY pupils are to spend more time on reading and maths as part of a new strategy to raise literacy and numeracy standards.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn yesterday unveiled plans designed to transform the "average" ranking of Irish 15-year-olds in basic skills.
Maths has been a weak point for years, while a plunge in the performance of Irish students in the international OECD PISA reading test, and recent Department of Education inspector reports highlighting poor teaching practice in some primary classrooms have also given causes for concern.
The new National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy includes a greater focus on teacher quality and more assessments of students to measure standards.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
