Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
199. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made since the 2011 roll out of the new national literacy and numeracy strategy; if data is collected on the number of children leaving school with the necessary literacy and numeracy skills; the way success of the strategy is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41862/13]
View answerOver the period since the launch of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in July 2011, there has been significant progress under many of the 41 actions and almost 180 sub-actions.
I have increased the time spent on literacy and numeracy at primary level. Revision of the English and Irish curricula is being prioritised in Junior Cycle Reform. Major changes are being made to initial teacher training and literacy and numeracy units are now in place in the National Teacher Induction Programme. School self-evaluation is being rolled out and I have introduced new requirements on standardised testing including the return of aggregate data to my Department. A national programme of professional development for primary and second level teachers is underway.
The Strategy sets out a range of national improvement targets for literacy and numeracy. Implementation of the Strategy, including achievement of the targets, is being monitored by a high level implementation advisory group chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.
