SOUTH Down MLA Chris Hazzard (Sinn Féin) said the results of an international study into primary school education, has shown that the North has been served well by three Sinn Féin education ministers.
He was speaking after the publication of the Trends in International Maths and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), which saw pupils in P6 assessed against counterparts internationally.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on education said: “These results clearly show that our primary school children are performing well above the international average in literacy, numeracy and science. This is the first time that the primary school system in the North has been evaluated against international standards.
“This is a great endorsement of the teachers, parents and indeed the pupils that we have. What we need to do is ensure that this level of ability is carried on into post primary system and that our children continue to flourish.
“It is a true source of pride that our local school children are performing well above the international average.
“Indeed with the right policies and effective leadership shown by successive Sinn Féin Education Ministers, the future of our young people’s education is looking increasingly brighter and it’s fantastic to see the early signs of a world class education system coming to fruition.”
