Resources vital to make scheme work

Education Minister Mary Hanafin and her predecessor Noel Dempsey have been anxious to introduce standardised testing for primary school children.

This is not only desirable but also necessary to monitor student progress, identify potential difficulties and provide information for teacher and school planning.

Recognising problems as early as possible is vital if they are to be tackled efficiently. It is too late when young people become so disheartened by learning difficulties that they drop out of the system.