O’Dowd welcomes investment in literacy and numeracy teaching

Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has welcomed the announcement by the First and deputy First Ministers of investment in posts for 230 recently qualified teachers to improve literacy and numeracy in schools.
~ Wednesday, 10 October 2012

The move is part of a wider £26million funding package announced by the Ministers earlier today.

Mr O’Dowd said: “This morning’s announcement will be welcome news for many recently qualified teachers, securing valuable teaching experience for 230 over the next two years.

“This move will also have a direct impact on the educational outcomes of many pupils. By targeting those who are at risk of under achieving and focussing on the core skills of literacy and numeracy, we will ensure more young people can achieve to their full potential.

“The Executive has committed to raising educational standards in the Programme for Government. We have committed to ensuring as many school leavers as possible achieve the benchmark five good GCSEs including English and maths.

“This is a key attainment level that is increasingly required to ensure young people can continue their studies or enter the world of work.

“In particular we set very challenging targets to raise standards for our most disadvantaged pupils. Concentrating on areas of disadvantage will help those who need it most."

The focus in post-primary schools will be to assist as many pupils as possible to achieve at least a C grade pass in English and maths. Across both primary and post-primary schools, support will be directed to those schools with the greatest educational need.

The Minister continued: “We know from the international evidence that high-quality teaching in well led schools is at the heart of raising standards. This programme will build on that evidence and put teachers on the front line, where they can make a difference.”