UC Ambassadors launch National Literacy and Numeracy week

1 September: ACT Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr joined University of Canberra academics and Ambassadors for National Literacy and Numeracy Week – 2008, Dr Kaye Price and Education Lecturer, Steve Thornton at a literacy and numeracy celebration today.

Literacy and Numeracy ACT Ambassador, Dr Kaye Price and National Ambassador, Steve Thornton will be promoting the outstanding achievements by Australians in literacy and numeracy.

The importance of literacy and numeracy in schools, and celebrating the achievements of teachers and students and their schools through special events will be the focus this year according to Mr Thornton.

“My personal passion is to promote numeracy as part of active citizenship. One of the critical issues - is the gap between students who achieve well (most in our schools) and those who don’t achieve so well.

“It isn’t a simple matter of back to basics – it is about giving all students the opportunity to tackle challenging and relevant problems in school mathematics,” he said. In support, Dr Price emphasised the importance of English literacy for students attempting numeracy. She said ‘Literacy in English is critical for many students from a language and cultural background other than English, as many mathematical problems need a good command of the written word.’

WHAT: Celebrating National Literacy and Numeracy Week-2008
WHEN: Monday 1 September, 12pm – 1pm.
WHERE: University of Canberra, Council Room, Level D Building 1