Reforms fail to raise literacy standards

LITERACY levels have remained at the same low levels in poorer schools for the past six years, despite smaller class sizes and major investment in computers, a new study has found.

The authors of the report, based on a survey of around 150 primary schools, said changes in teaching practice must be made for the real impact of these investments to be felt.

The results of literacy tests among 4,090 fifth-class pupils in 133 schools in 2004 showed that there was no significant change in reading standards since the last such tests in 1998. Launching the report, Education Minister Mary Hanafin said this is in line with international trends.