Schoolchildren are to be banned from studying any more than eight subjects at junior certificate level under plans to boost reading and writing skills.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has ordered a cap on the number of examinations a pupil can take to allow more time for learning basic literacy and numeracy.
The move was sparked by an international poll last year which showed literacy standards in Ireland were getting worse, with one in 10 already experiencing serious problems.
Until now, some students took up to 12 subjects at junior level.
Under the new strategy, primary schools will be told to set aside an hour and a half every day exclusively for the teaching of literacy.
There were no previous guidelines on time spent specifically on literacy, although schools had to dedicate 48 minutes a day to English, the Department of Education said.
Teachers will also be instructed to increase the time they spend on mathematics from the current 36 minutes a day to 50 minutes.
“It is the Government’s belief that no child should leave school unable to read and write and use mathematics to solve problems,” said Mr Quinn, launching the strategy.
“We know that there is currently much room for improvement and this strategy sets out the road map with concrete targets and reforms that will ensure our children, from early childhood to the end of second level, master these key skills.”
Students starting second-level education in September next year will be the first who will be barred from taking on any more than eight junior certificate examinations, to free up more time to focus on the basics.
There will be more standardised tests of reading and mathematics, in second and sixth class in primary with exams introduced for second year secondary school students.
Results will be sent to parents, school management and the Department of Education and Skills.
“This is an issue of equality,” said Mr Quinn.
“Without the skills of literacy and numeracy, a young person or adult is often denied full participation in society.
“They may be condemned to poorly paid jobs or unemployment and a lifetime of poverty and exclusion.”
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is carrying out a wider review of junior level education and is expected to publish recommendations in the autumn.
The strategy is expected to cost €6m next year rising to €19m every year by 2017.
Pat King, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti), backed the strategy but demanded it is supported by resources.
“In this context, we are appealing to the government not to impose further cuts on our under-resourced schools,” he said.
Fianna Fáil Education Spokesperson Brendan Smith welcomed the publication of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2011 – 2020.
Deputy Smith said: “The strategy announced by the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn today is the result of extensive work carried out by the previous Government last year to set the course for radical improvements in literacy and numeracy standards in this country.
“Since Ruairí Quinn was appointed Education Minister, Fianna Fáil has consistently called on him to publish the strategy. I very much welcome that he has done so today.
“However for this strategy to work, Minister Quinn must ensure that sufficient funds are ring-fenced in the upcoming budget.”
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has ordered a cap on the number of examinations a pupil can take to allow more time for learning basic literacy and numeracy.
The move was sparked by an international poll last year which showed literacy standards in Ireland were getting worse, with one in 10 already experiencing serious problems.
Until now, some students took up to 12 subjects at junior level.
Under the new strategy, primary schools will be told to set aside an hour and a half every day exclusively for the teaching of literacy.
There were no previous guidelines on time spent specifically on literacy, although schools had to dedicate 48 minutes a day to English, the Department of Education said.
Teachers will also be instructed to increase the time they spend on mathematics from the current 36 minutes a day to 50 minutes.
“It is the Government’s belief that no child should leave school unable to read and write and use mathematics to solve problems,” said Mr Quinn, launching the strategy.
“We know that there is currently much room for improvement and this strategy sets out the road map with concrete targets and reforms that will ensure our children, from early childhood to the end of second level, master these key skills.”
Students starting second-level education in September next year will be the first who will be barred from taking on any more than eight junior certificate examinations, to free up more time to focus on the basics.
There will be more standardised tests of reading and mathematics, in second and sixth class in primary with exams introduced for second year secondary school students.
Results will be sent to parents, school management and the Department of Education and Skills.
“This is an issue of equality,” said Mr Quinn.
“Without the skills of literacy and numeracy, a young person or adult is often denied full participation in society.
“They may be condemned to poorly paid jobs or unemployment and a lifetime of poverty and exclusion.”
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is carrying out a wider review of junior level education and is expected to publish recommendations in the autumn.
The strategy is expected to cost €6m next year rising to €19m every year by 2017.
Pat King, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti), backed the strategy but demanded it is supported by resources.
“In this context, we are appealing to the government not to impose further cuts on our under-resourced schools,” he said.
Fianna Fáil Education Spokesperson Brendan Smith welcomed the publication of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2011 – 2020.
Deputy Smith said: “The strategy announced by the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn today is the result of extensive work carried out by the previous Government last year to set the course for radical improvements in literacy and numeracy standards in this country.
“Since Ruairí Quinn was appointed Education Minister, Fianna Fáil has consistently called on him to publish the strategy. I very much welcome that he has done so today.
“However for this strategy to work, Minister Quinn must ensure that sufficient funds are ring-fenced in the upcoming budget.”
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