§ 20. Mr. Jim MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many programmes to improve literacy skills of young children are receiving financial support from his Department.
§ Mr. ForthThe improvement of the literacy skills is one of the Government's top priorities for education. The national curriculum order for English will put more emphasis on basic skills in reading and writing. Action programmes supported by the Government include:
- The reading recovery programmes, and other literacy programmes in inner-city areas;
- Support to the volunteer reading help organisation to help it expand its network;
- Support for the family literacy initiative, designed to help parents improve their own literacy skills and at the same time support the development of their children's literacy.