"The media is missing the essential message contained in the select committee report on the teaching of reading," said sub-committee chairperson , Hon Brian Donnelly MP today.

"The report does not state that we should throw out the baby with the bath water and go back to the old ways of teaching, What it does say is that the development of phonetic, word-level decoding skills is a critical component of learning to read."

The development of such skills must be taught in a systematic and deliberate manner. But it must be connected as closely as possible with engagement with genuine text.

"What the committee is concerned to see is that balanced reading programmes as promoted by the Ministry of Education and teacher training institutions are actually happening in all our classrooms."

Mr Donnelly had a helpful suggestion for the media.

"Read the Report," he said.

ENDS

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