IPPN

Last Updated: Friday, 27 January 2012 15:47

Three-quarters of primary school principals believe that time allocated to some subjects should instead be diverted to instruction that supports literacy and numeracy, according to a new survey by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) which begins its annual three-day conference today.

In a survey completed by 669 school leaders, three-quarters of them said that time should be taken from other subjects including drama, physical education, history and science to support literacy and numeracy.

Over 1,100 primary school principals are attending the IPPN conference in Citywest Convention Centre which will be addressed tomorrow by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn.

IPPN Director Seán Cottrell said principals would like the primary school curriculum restructured to support literacy and numeracy in the classroom.

‘The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment shows that Ireland has slipped from near the top of the rankings to less than average.

‘Last July, Minister Quinn launched a national literacy and numeracy strategy with ambitious aims - but we must now follow through with continuous professional development programmes from teacher training right through to probation and service in the classroom.

‘The decline in standards of numeracy and literacy is a real concern for educators and it cannot be fully attributed to the integration of special needs and new Irish into mainstream classes.

‘Many schools have experience of integrating subjects through project work.

‘In teaching any subject, teachers naturally focus on the opportunities to integrate literacy and numeracy through whatever teaching methodology is used.

‘The national strategy for literacy and numeracy is not changing this good practice but directing all schools to have a strategy in place and a whole-school approach for implementing it,’ said Mr Cottrell. 

He said curriculum overload is a contributory factor, too, but we must get back to basics and focus every teacher in every school on literacy and numeracy if Ireland is to regain lost ground.

IPPN President Gerry Murphy said that, as expert professionals on integrating and manipulating timetables to respond to pupils’ need, teachers should celebrate the opportunity to validate the extra time which many have, for some years now, reassigned to literacy and numeracy.

‘Schools should integrate literacy and numeracy across the curriculum, particularly in the areas of discretionary time, arts education and Social Environmental and Scientific Education, and get sample integrated models from fellow schools,’ said Mr Murphy.

ENDS