Committee to quiz Minister on education plans

The Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn will appear before a Joint Oireachtas Committee on jobs, social protection and education today.

Current and future plans for small primary schools, a national adult literarcy strategy and the issue of career guidance counsellors in secondary schools, are amongst the items on the agenda.

Mr Quinn will also answer questions about Junior Cert reform, the proposed abolition of modern languages in DEIS schools and how Ireland compares to other OECD countries with regards to funding for schools.

The committee has welcomed the Minister's appearance, saying it provides an important opportunity to raise a number of issues that need to be discussed.