3 December 2013 - PISA Scores – Reason for Optimism but Not Complacency
- Last Updated: Thursday, 05 December 2013 15:13
Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) welcomes the improvement in Ireland’s rankings for student achievement in literacy, mathematics and particularly science. This is clear evidence of the successful implementation of curriculum change by principals and teachers in primary schools.
The introduction of science in the revised primary school curriculum is now bearing dividends among the 15 year olds tested. However, IPPN is concerned that the effects of cutbacks in education over the last three years in particular, have not yet fully impacted on schools. Principals are now leading schools in a much more challenging environment with less teachers and fewer resources.
Brendan McCabe, President of IPPN, stated that “PISA 2012 results validate IPPN’s belief that there is a direct correlation between investment in primary education and learning outcomes at second level”. IPPN urge the Minister for Education to reinstate the level of funding in primary education that led to today’s improvements.
ENDS
