Social changes affecting literacy levels

THE changing face of the classroom is a major factor in the lack of improvement in literacy levels in poorer areas, principals claimed yesterday.

A recent report showed no significant change in the reading performance of fifth class pupils in disadvantaged schools between 1998 and 2004, despite the investment of huge Government resources in these schools.

But delegates at the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) annual conference said the challenges faced by schools, particularly in poorer areas, have grown in the same time.