€900,000 for Meath school literacy resurces

Meath schools are to benefit from over €900,000 in funding for the purchase of books, audio books and other media to improve literacy resource banks, as part of a funding announced of €20m by Education Minister Norma Foley this week.

Meath's 117 primary schools will receive €567,315 in funding, while €341,061 will be shared among the county's 24 secondary schools. Funding will be provided to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.

Minister Foley said: “I am delighted to announce that the funding is going to be with schools this week. This funding will assist schools to provide literacy-rich environments where learners have access to a variety of literacy resources that caters for all reading abilities. Provision of such environments is integral to the teaching and learning process as it provides learners with the opportunities for growth in literacy development.

“I believe that learners need access to an array of interesting books and materials, in both print and online, that will encourage increased interaction and development of more positive attitudes toward reading, improved language and communication skills, creativity and critical thinking skills and build their imaginations as they discover the world through literature."

The grant is to be paid to schools based on pupil/student numbers in each school and at the same rate per of €21 per pupil/student for primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme.