Govt to limit number of Junior Cert subjects to improve literacy

The number of subjects which students can take at Junior Cert level is to be limited to eight under a new strategy aimed at improving literacy.

The Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn is making the move to provide students with more time to focus on improving their literacy and numeracy skills.

Mr Quinn is also writing to every school in the country instructing them to spend at least 90 minutes of every day on improving reading skills, and at least 50 minutes on mathematics.

However, the Education Minister warns that the new strategy, which will cost up to €19m per annum will result in cuts to other areas of spending in the education budget.