§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are currently being taken to assist schools to overcome innumeracy and illiteracy.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonImproving pupils' standards of attainment in English language and mathematics is central to the Government's five to 14 programme. The programme sets out attainment targets, which allow such pupils' performance and progress to be assessed and assisted. National tests also provide an important source of evidence of achievement in key skills and processes in reading, writing, and mathematics. Diagnostic materials have been prepared to help teachers tackle pupils with particular difficulties in English and mathematics.