Media Release

NATIONAL LITERACY WEEK September 6 - 10

K8209 5 September 1999

Tomorrow heralds the start of Australia’s first National Literacy Week, Dr David Kemp, Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs said today.

"There could be no better reason to hold a special week that can involve everyone in our community. Reading, writing, spelling and being able to count are skills that most people take for granted. For so much of our daily life - from reading the side of a milk carton to telling the time, reading a map or working out a bus timetable – literacy and numeracy are essential skills," said Dr Kemp.

"National Literacy Week provides an opportunity to highlight the progress Australian schools are making to improve literacy and numeracy levels of all students and I am delighted that all States and Territories support this national celebration.

"Australia’s first National Literacy Week is focusing on children’s literacy. Parents Australia-wide understand the importance of their children learning literacy skills. They have the right to know that their children are getting the best possible support from schools and teachers to learn these skills."

The Federal Government is funding Australia’s first National Literacy Week Awards for Literacy and Numeracy Achievement.

On Tuesday 7 September in Melbourne, a total of 70 Commonwealth funded awards will be presented to primary schools across Australia. Ten major awards valued at $10,000 each and 60 awards of $1,000 each, will recognise and reward schools that have been able to demonstrate excellence in teaching literacy and numeracy.

The National Literacy Week Awards for Literacy and Numeracy Achievement are not just about rewarding schools for their work. They also deliver an important message to the Australian community that schools are making real progress under the National Literacy and Numeracy Plan.

The national awards coincide with International Literacy Day, which is celebrated in many countries on 8 September.

For more information about National Literacy Week and the National Literacy Week Awards for Literacy and Numeracy Achievement, look at the website www.detya.gov.au/literacyweek/

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