New Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy launched

The new literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy was launched at an event in the Museum of Literature Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday 15 May by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman TD.

The 10-year strategy. which will influence the Irish education system and learners from birth to young adulthood, was informed by an extensive literature review completed by more than 40 members of the DCU Institute of Education. This literature review was published at a separate event last year.

The strategy has been developed jointly by the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in collaboration with an inter-agency Steering Committee, of which DCU's Dr Eithne Kennedy and Dr Geraldine French were members. They also worked on the literature review committee along with Dr Gerry Shiel, Dr Lorraine Harbison, Dr Margaret Leahy, Prof Pádraig Ó Duibhir and Dr Joe Travers.

Minister Foley said:

“Today marks the launch of our new literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy for all learners from birth to young adulthood. We want our students and all our learners to have the skill set, the knowledge, the tools that they need to thrive and flourish individually and in society.

"Literacy lays the foundation for effective communication, critical thinking and comprehension of the world around us. Numeracy empowers learners to make informed decisions, manage finances and navigate various aspects of daily life with confidence. And in today's digital age, digital literacy has become equally indispensable in the face of online misinformation, exploitation and fraud.

"This strategy recognises the importance of partnership in driving further progress in literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. It acknowledges that a collective effort is required from teachers, school leaders, learners, parents, communities and policymakers to build on the progress we have made so far.”

Minister O’Gorman said:

“This new strategy reflects the many changes in Irish society since the last strategy was published in 2011. In particular, the last decade has seen a transformation in provision of Early Learning and Care (ELC). There is now wide recognition of the importance of early childhood in laying the foundations of essential skills such as literacy and numeracy. ELC services play a vital role in supporting early childhood development, complementing the central role of parents and families. This strategy places a strong emphasis on the role of both. 

"The strategy also reflects Ireland’s increasingly diverse society. Many children in Ireland grow up speaking different languages at home and in the education system. This strategy points to the many benefits of plurilingualism for children and to the need for our ELC services and schools to adjust to reflect this reality."

The new 'Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024-2033: Every Learner from Birth to Young Adulthood' can be read here, while the DCU IoE research that informed the strategy,‘Towards a New Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy: A Review of Literature’, can be read here.