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05/08/2013
£1.5m To Improve Literacy And Numeracy
Northern Ireland's young people are improving their literacy and numeracy as a result of £1.5m funding from the Department of Education.
The Strategic Development Fund (SDF) was established by the Education Minister, John O’Dowd, last year and will run until 2015.
It is currently providing funding to Area Learning Communities (ALCs); an initiative that enables schools within the same area to plan collectively to deliver education to young people.
There are 30 ALCs in Northern Ireland, involving 250 schools.
Speaking about the investment, Minister O’Dowd said: "One of my main aims as Education Minister is to raise educational standards and provide every young person with a much broader and more balanced curriculum from the age of 14. Recent statistics show that we have been successful in starting to achieve this with standards continually rising, however more needs to be done.
"That is why I decided to make additional resources available to ALCs to help improve the literacy and numeracy levels of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk of underachievement in either English and/or maths at GCSE level.
"This is one of a number of packages aimed at supporting educational improvements and enables schools to share best practice, expertise and resources to better meet the needs of pupils. Supporting the work of ALCs in this way will assist in the drive to raise standards."
(IT/CD)
The Strategic Development Fund (SDF) was established by the Education Minister, John O’Dowd, last year and will run until 2015.
It is currently providing funding to Area Learning Communities (ALCs); an initiative that enables schools within the same area to plan collectively to deliver education to young people.
There are 30 ALCs in Northern Ireland, involving 250 schools.
Speaking about the investment, Minister O’Dowd said: "One of my main aims as Education Minister is to raise educational standards and provide every young person with a much broader and more balanced curriculum from the age of 14. Recent statistics show that we have been successful in starting to achieve this with standards continually rising, however more needs to be done.
"That is why I decided to make additional resources available to ALCs to help improve the literacy and numeracy levels of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk of underachievement in either English and/or maths at GCSE level.
"This is one of a number of packages aimed at supporting educational improvements and enables schools to share best practice, expertise and resources to better meet the needs of pupils. Supporting the work of ALCs in this way will assist in the drive to raise standards."
(IT/CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
