Literacy begins at bedtime... with children's bedtime stories

The quote comes from Irish Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn (pronounced Rory) who took part in a Forum at I.E.Center for European Studies in Madrid on Friday 14th October.
The theme Innovative Responses to Challenges facing Higher Education had nothing to do with digital technology even though César Alierta, President of Télefonica presented the Minister. It turns out that they have a friendship which goes back to their teenage years when the Quinn family hosted Spanish students studying English in Ireland, one of whom is President of Telefónica today.

The innovations that the Minister proposed are very interesting. This is an outline.

To add a fourth year to teacher training, a year in the laboratory so to speak, where teachers would acquire greater pedagogical skills.

To push maths and science at schools by ensuring that a high average mark in the Leaving Certificate cannot be attained to the detriment of these subjects.

To promote the cultural and economic links shared by Spain, Ireland and Latin American countries and so balance Asian growth and increase competitiveness in the world market.

To prepare the way for a joint agenda in Education, when Ireland holds the European Presidency in 2013, within the Common European Framework which will address the need for an alternative barometer for university rankings.

I will leave you with another quote which the Minister gave us from another source.

Learn to read - to read to learn

Our thanks to SIBN Spanish Irish Business Network and IE Center for European Studies and the Embassy of Ireland for the invitation to this High Level Forum.