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CBI calls for education shake-up CBI calls for education shake-up
(20 minutes later)
The CBI in Northern Ireland has said "millions" will "continue to be wasted" in teaching unless more ambitious targets are set. The CBI in Northern Ireland has said millions of pounds will "continue to be wasted" in teaching unless more ambitious targets are set.
Its NI director Nigel Smyth said an emphasis needed to be put on pupils at primary school level.Its NI director Nigel Smyth said an emphasis needed to be put on pupils at primary school level.
And he called for money from the education budget to be switched to frontline classroom teaching.And he called for money from the education budget to be switched to frontline classroom teaching.
Mr Smyth said basic skills needed to be taught in a way that was seen as relevant to the world of work.Mr Smyth said basic skills needed to be taught in a way that was seen as relevant to the world of work.
"There appears to be a reluctance to set a strategy or milestone target at Key Stage 2, yet we know that around 5,000 pupils per year are reaching this stage without adequate basic skills," he said."There appears to be a reluctance to set a strategy or milestone target at Key Stage 2, yet we know that around 5,000 pupils per year are reaching this stage without adequate basic skills," he said.
Mr Smyth said the issue had to be addressed with more urgency if the department of education's consultation on "their strategy for raising standards was to be taken seriously".Mr Smyth said the issue had to be addressed with more urgency if the department of education's consultation on "their strategy for raising standards was to be taken seriously".
"Without basic skills, children's ability to progress in the post-primary sector and beyond is clearly inhibited," he said."Without basic skills, children's ability to progress in the post-primary sector and beyond is clearly inhibited," he said.
"Basic skills are key employability skills which will help young people access the labour market.""Basic skills are key employability skills which will help young people access the labour market."
Mr Smyth said the scale of the challenge was "significant".Mr Smyth said the scale of the challenge was "significant".
"However, without the necessary clarity of vision and focus we stand little chance of achieving the right goals," he said."However, without the necessary clarity of vision and focus we stand little chance of achieving the right goals," he said.