Students are to be banned from studying any more than eight subjects at Junior Certificate level under plans to boost reading and writing skills.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has ordered a cap on the number of examinations a pupil can take to allow more time for learning basic literacy and numeracy.
The move was sparked by an international poll last year which showed literacy standards in Ireland were getting worse, with one in 10 already experiencing serious problems.
At present, some students take up to 12 subjects at junior level.
Under the new strategy, primary schools will be told to set aside an hour and a half every day exclusively for the teaching of literacy.
There were no previous guidelines on time spent specifically on literacy, although schools had to dedicate 48 minutes a day to English, the Department of Education said. Teachers will also be instructed to increase the time they spend on mathematics from the current 36 minutes a day to 50 minutes.
“It is the Government’s belief that no child should leave school unable to read and write and use mathematics to solve problems,” said Mr Quinn, launching the strategy.
“We know that there is currently much room for improvement and this strategy sets out the road map with concrete targets and reforms that will ensure our children, from early childhood to the end of second level, master these key skills.”
Students starting second-level education in September next year will be the first who will be barred from taking on any more than eight Junior Certificate examinations, to free up more time to focus on the basics. There will be more standardised tests of reading and mathematics, in second and sixth class in primary with exams introduced for second year secondary school students.
Results will be sent to parents, school management and the Department of Education and Skills.
“This is an issue of equality,” said Mr Quinn. “Without the skills of literacy and numeracy, a young person or adult is often denied full participation in society. They may be condemned to poorly paid jobs or unemployment and a lifetime of poverty and exclusion.”
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is carrying out a wider review of junior level education and is expected to publish recommendations in the autumn.
The strategy is expected to cost €6 million next year, rising to €19 million every year by 2017.
Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland general secretary Pat King backed the strategy but demanded it is supported by resources. “In this context, we are appealing to the Government not to impose further cuts on our under-resourced schools,” he said.
Irish National Teachers' Organisation general secretary Sheila Nunan argued the Government could not demand higher standards while slashing teacher numbers and supports. "The Government's commitment to literacy and numeracy will be seen in the next budget," she said. "If teacher numbers are cut then this plan is not worth the paper it is written on."
Ms Nunan said the strategy would mean more work for teachers. "If schools don't have the personnel to make changes afterwards then all this work will be in vain," she added.
PA