"...mass participation in mainstream education is not sufficient to produce strong literacy and numeracy skills for life."
The education system is a fundamental part of our way of life. It prepares us with the first world skills we need to do first world business to bring back first world income. No matter whether you're a businessman, an artist, a teacher, a construction worker, or a salesperson, you are a more or less valuable cog in a productive and prosperous economy (compared to the rest of the world, not compared to ten years ago lol). It is largely due to the skills we acquire and the system that strives to make sure we acquire them, that we are able to enjoy the way of life we have today. However, it seems that certain countries are falling behind. Some of us may live in those countries.
What do you think of the state of your education system? We've had a thread about this generation of kids being out of control, do you think this has something to do with it? Do you think this affects the state of the economy and why so many people are out of work? How should we fix this, when a government is very deep in its deficits? Is this one of the few sectors in which the government should never (or as a last resort) cut spending? In addition to your consideration of the issue on a societal level, how's your personal experience/dissatisfaction with the education system?
Or maybe it's not so big of a deal? Perhaps it's less of an issue, or not quite as bad then we think it is.
Spoiler:
One in six people here struggle with literacy while one in four lack numeracy skills, according to a major study published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
It showed that across a 24-country ranking for these life skills, Ireland measured up as only average or below average in all categories.
...
It showed that 17.9 per cent of adults were at or below level one for literacy, compared to an average of 16.7 per cent. This placed Ireland at 15th of 24 countries, while across all levels we were still below the average at 17th of 24 countries.
Numeracy was also below average, with 25 per cent of Irish adults scoring at or below level one for numeracy compared to an average of about 20 per cent.
Japan was the only country with fewer than 10 per cent of adults at or below this level.
Literacy tests involved simple reading and comprehension tests, while uncomplicated numeracy examples were used to test this category. The problem solving in a technology-rich environment involved asking people, for example, to send an email to several people or to web browse.
The study showed 42 per cent of Irish adults scored at or below level one, comparable with Finland (39.9 per cent), Estonia (42.8 per cent) and Sweden (43.9 per cent). Japan again scored highest with only 27.3 per cent of adults at or below level one.
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The survey "challenges how we think about skills", said Inez Bailey, director of the National Adult Literacy Agency. "It provides compelling evidence that mass participation in mainstream education is not sufficient to produce strong literacy and numeracy skills for life." Skills are developed through life and are not learned once during primary education, she said.
source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/edu...verage-or-below-according-to-survey-1.1554207
It showed that across a 24-country ranking for these life skills, Ireland measured up as only average or below average in all categories.
...
It showed that 17.9 per cent of adults were at or below level one for literacy, compared to an average of 16.7 per cent. This placed Ireland at 15th of 24 countries, while across all levels we were still below the average at 17th of 24 countries.
Numeracy was also below average, with 25 per cent of Irish adults scoring at or below level one for numeracy compared to an average of about 20 per cent.
Japan was the only country with fewer than 10 per cent of adults at or below this level.
Literacy tests involved simple reading and comprehension tests, while uncomplicated numeracy examples were used to test this category. The problem solving in a technology-rich environment involved asking people, for example, to send an email to several people or to web browse.
The study showed 42 per cent of Irish adults scored at or below level one, comparable with Finland (39.9 per cent), Estonia (42.8 per cent) and Sweden (43.9 per cent). Japan again scored highest with only 27.3 per cent of adults at or below level one.
...
The survey "challenges how we think about skills", said Inez Bailey, director of the National Adult Literacy Agency. "It provides compelling evidence that mass participation in mainstream education is not sufficient to produce strong literacy and numeracy skills for life." Skills are developed through life and are not learned once during primary education, she said.
source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/edu...verage-or-below-according-to-survey-1.1554207