Media Release

14th August 2001

Read The Reading Report Carefully - Donnelly

"The report of the Education and Science Select Committee into the teaching of reading needs to be read with care," said New Zealand First Education Spokesperson, Hon Brian Donnelly MP today.

"In its call for a re-emphasis on the importance of phonics and word-level decoding skills, the report is not saying we should throw out the baby with the bath water."

The report acknowledges New Zealand has an enviable record in developing excellent methods and materials to teach reading for meaning, and this expertise must not be lost. Any re-emphasis on phonics must be connected with meaningful engagement with real text.

Mr Donnelly chaired the sub-committee which carried out the review over the last 12 months.

ENDS

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