Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy Consultation

The Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are jointly developing the successor strategy to the National Strategy Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011 – 2020 and the Interim Review of the Strategy (2017-2020).

A wide-ranging consultation process is underway to support the development of this strategy. The public and education stakeholders and partners, including teachers and early years educators, learners and parents, are invited to participate through an online survey.

This online survey is now closed.

This consultation is part of a wider process to seek views on what literacy, numeracy and digital literacy mean today. A series of targeted consultations will also be undertaken with key stakeholders, including early years learners, primary and post-primary students, school leaders and teachers, early years managers and educators, parents and other relevant education stakeholders and partners so as to ensure that a wide cohort of people are aware of and have the opportunity to have their views heard. These are in addition to stakeholder consultation events and a series of bilateral meetings with education stakeholders.

A discussion document was provided and is available below.

National Strategy: Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011-2020

In July 2011, the Department of Education launched the National Strategy: Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011-2020. The strategy set out a clear vision for raising standards in literacy and numeracy in early learning and care (ELC), primary and post-primary settings by 2020.

The actions in the strategy were organised across six pillars of the education system:

1. Enabling parents and communities to support children’s literacy and numeracy development.

2. Improving teachers’ and early childhood care and education (ECCE) practitioners’ professional practice.

3. Building the capacity of school leadership.

4. Improving the curriculum and the learning experience.

5. Helping students with additional learning needs to achieve their potential.

6. Improving assessment and evaluation to support better learning in literacy and numeracy.

The Interim Review of the National Strategy: Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life (2011-2020) published in 2017, took stock of the implementation over the first five years. It also considered a range of national and international research findings and involved a consultation process across a wide range of stakeholders. The interim review highlighted the considerable progress which had been made since the launch of the strategy in 2011, notably in promoting a high level of literacy for all. In addition, it identified the successes and challenges and highlighted five areas that the strategy should address before its culmination in 2020.

These were:

• achievements in numeracy to be prioritised and strengthened

• focus on children and young people experiencing educational disadvantage

• strengthening literacy for and through the Irish language

• developing and enhancing digital literacy skills, and

• co-ordinating and collaborating with key stakeholders so as to welcome opportunities to reinforce and resource the literacy and numeracy message.

The report of the interim review did not replace the (2011-2020) strategy. The strategy continued to be the focal point within our education system for improving literacy and numeracy outcomes to 2020.

Towards a New Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy

There are a number of key factors that will underpin the new ten-year National Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy. There are informed by the implementation experiences of Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life 2011-2020. These factors are:

1. Enabling parents and communities to support children’s literacy and numeracy development

2. Improving teachers’ and early years educators’ professional practice and leadership capacity

3. Improving the curriculum and the learning experience

4. Supporting learners with additional learning needs to achieve their potential

5. Improving assessment and evaluation to support better learning in literacy, numeracy and digital literacy

6. Digital literacy