Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Chapter 2 Sustaining Progress
30
■ The e-learning services, FÁS Net College (www.fas-netcollege.com) – an innovative, low cost
delivery method – will provide “24 hour-7 day” access to courseware.
■ In 2003, co-operative action will take place between the Department of Education and Science/FÁS
and employer representative bodies to address the learning needs of young people who leave
school early and have taken up employment within available resources and reflecting the
experience of a recently initiated pilot scheme in the Dublin area.
2.8 Tackling Educational Disadvantage – Literacy, Numeracy and
Early School Leavers
Tackling the issue of educational disadvantage requires a multidimensional and integrated approach.
Education plays a fundamental role in providing full access to life chances and in avoiding and
breaking the cycle of disadvantage. A key focus of education policy is to prioritise investment in favour
of those most at risk and to optimise access, participation and outcome at every level of the system
for disadvantaged groups. Literacy and numeracy skills are a prerequisite for learning and for social
and economic participation. Key NAPS targets are to:
■ Halve the proportion of pupils with serious literacy difficulties by 2006;
■ Reduce the proportion of adults aged 16-64 with restricted literacy levels to 10-20% by 2007; and
■ Ensure that participation rates to completion of upper second level education or equivalent
increases to 90% by 2006.
Critical attention will be paid to literacy and numeracy both in school and for adults of all ages.
Systematic monitoring of literacy attainment levels and assessment and remediation strategies in
primary schools will be implemented, supported by targeted initiatives to address the specific needs
of disadvantaged schools. Initiatives will be implemented to prevent and address early school leaving,
taking account of the framework set out in the NESF Report on Early School Leavers. The range of
initiatives focused on school retention and completion will be reviewed to ensure optimum synergy
and integration, advised by the Educational Disadvantage Committee. The Educational Welfare Board
will be brought into operation and adult learning opportunities will be particularly targeted at those
in disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas.
The document Student Councils: A Voice for Students sets a framework for the establishment and
operation of student councils in line with the provisions of the Education Act 1998.
Building on the Youth Work Act 2001, the National Youth Work Development Plan will be progressed
and implemented on a phased basis, as resources are made available.
The extent of compliance with the terms of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1995,
which provides for proactive information provision, inspection of workplaces, and prosecution where
appropriate, will be evaluated.
A workplace basic education and literacy/numeracy/Information and Communication Technologies
(ICT) programme will be implemented as part of this, building on the recommendations of the
National Adult Literacy Agency report on a Workplace Basic Education Strategy and the Report of the
Task Force on Lifelong Learning. Pilot initiatives will be implemented in targeted sectors where there
are vulnerable workers, in partnership with trade unions.