Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.

Ivan Yates

Question:

46 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the system, if any, put in place to monitor progress towards the target of eliminating literacy and numeracy problems in early primary education in the next five years which has been adopted by his Department as part of the National Anti Poverty Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

A number of initiatives aimed at reducing literacy and numeracy problems in early education and at other levels of the system are in operation at present.

The Early Start and Breaking the Cycle pilot projects, which are expected to have beneficial effects on numeracy and literacy are being evaluated by the Educational Research Centre in Drumcondra. The effectiveness of the remedial education service at primary level, which is aimed especially at the reduction of learning problems is also being evaluated by the Educational Research Centre and a report is expected next month. The Department's programme of initiatives aimed at reducing educational disadvantage has as one of its objectives the reduction of educational failure. The effectiveness of all of these programmes is kept under review by the Inspectorate.

The implementation stage of the revised primary curriculum will begin during the next school year and this will be supported by a significant programme of in-career development for teachers. A major emphasis of this revised curriculum will be the development of literacy and numeracy skills at all levels of the primary school. This will be monitored by the Department's inspectorate.