Low reading age means primaries face review

A REVIEW of primary education looks certain after a majority of the department's board agreed it was necessary.

Deputy Robert Sillars said that, given the percentage of 11-year-olds identified with low reading ages in the highly critical Mulkerrin report, the board needed to look into what had happened in a calm and measured way.

'It came as a big surprise to me and we need to drill down into the figures and the reasons for them – whether it affects all schools and where the children are that are being let down,' said Deputy Sillars, pictured, who is in the running to take over the ministerial role vacated by Deputy Carol Steere.

Deputy David De Lisle agreed it was important to look at why reading ages were lower than expected and despite a looming general election, a review of the primary sector was something the board was interested in taking forward.