§ 29. Ms Beverley HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's literacy strategy. [14352]
§ Mr. ByersOur National Literacy Strategy is an ambitious programme for achieving our target of 80 per cent. of 11-year-olds reaching the expected standard for their age in English by 2002. The strategy will guarantee every primary schools teach the opportunity to learn about the most effective methods of teaching literacy, so that all pupils can achieve their full potential. We shall be investing £50 million next year in training for teachers and in providing books for schools.