Vol. 492 No. 7
26 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the action, if any, he proposes to take in view of reports of serious deficits in literacy skills at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15003/98]
The report on the OECD International Adult Literacy Survey: Results for Ireland, prepared by the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, for my Department in September 1997, indicated that, in general terms, there was a strong positive association between level of education and literacy level and that the level of education was one of the strongest correlates of literacy performance. This report indicates that, in Ireland, over 80 per cent of university graduates were at level three or higher in terms of literacy and about 70 per cent of non-university graduates were at similar levels. There is, however, a greater contrast between the pecentage of students in these two sectors who are at the lowest literacy level indicated in the survey.
When these figures are a matter of some concern they are broadly comparable with those in the other participating countries in the survey. Since countries have different patterns of educational achievement, one would expect some differences between countries in the association between level of education and literacy performance.
My Department has undertaken a number of measures tackling the broad area of disadvantage and associated learning difficulties in schools, including initiatives such as the allocation of additional concessionary teaching posts, home-school-community liaison programmes, the appointment of teacher-counsellors and the early start and breaking the cycle initiatives.
A survey has just been conducted for English reading attainment at fifth class level in primary schools and the results are being processed at present. My Department is consulting with the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, regarding plans for national five year surveys in English reading for fifth class pupils and in mathematics from fourth class pupils.
Ireland will also participate in an OECD survey on the achievement of 15 year old pupils in reading and mathematics in the year 2000. This will be the first time a comparison can be made in key curricular areas at 15 years and will enable comparisons to be made with the outcomes of the junior certificate examinations. It is my intention that national surveys should be more frequent and closely linked with international surveys, thereby providing more timely and meaningful comparison which will be a real benefit to all engaged in education.
The new English programme at primary level, in the final stages of revision by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, has among its specific aims to enable children to develop a range of literacy, comprehension and expressive skills and to appreciate the power and beauty of language.
The new leaving certificate English syllabus to be introduced in 1999 has a particular emphasis on literacy and follows on from the revised junior certificate syllabus. Greater attention is given to comprehension and composition, thereby enhancing the development of literacy skills directly related to the three areas covered in the IALS Study. I am at present considering introducing an oral examination in English at second level and a paper is at present being prepared by officials within my Department on both the educational and assessment issues involved. I will make a decision on this matter as soon as I receive this paper.
