Minister calls on head teachers to raise standards

(CNS): Despite a record year for year 12 students leaving school with 5 or more Level 2 passes, as well as some progress when it comes to standards in English and maths for year 6  primary school students, the education minister told school leaders  recently that that this represented progress but not the ultimate goal. “We are not where we need to be yet, in terms of standards. As school leaders the choices you make must come down to what is best for the children under your care,” Rolston Anglin said at a recent meeting ahead of the start of the new school year.

“Our work, your work, will not be done until every child makes appropriate progress, every child succeeds.”

Anglin thanked school leaders “for embracing and supporting the ambitious school reform agenda” that has been on-going for the last three years, despite the challenges but reminded them of the need to raise standards.  The minister encouraged school leaders at all levels to promote the importance of maths and English as fundamental and foundation skills and to believe that children need these skills and are capable of achieving them.

“Improving standards and having clear and unequivocal expectations about achievement are critical to moving our education system from good to great,” Anglin stated.