More literacy and numeracy coaches for schools

The Ministry of Education said it would be making more literacy and numeracy coaches available to primary schools as part of the efforts to achieve its objective of 100 per cent literacy by 2015.



Education minister Andrew Holness said a total of 80 literacy coaches, up from 50, and 70 numeracy coaches, up from 45 will be made available this school year.



Mr Holness said the number of literacy specialists will shortly be increased to 90.



According to him, many of the primary school teachers are not skilled in teaching literacy skills, and the literacy coaches will therefore provide the required professional development support.



In the meantime, the education minister has revealed that 71 per cent of the students who sat the Grade Four Literacy Test this year achieved mastery in the test.



Just over 47 thousand students sat the test this year, which was administered on a national basis for the first time.