Overview
General information
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Specific approaches
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Since the publication in 1999 of A
Fresh Start, the report of the working group chaired by
Sir Claus Moser, there has been a strong policy focus on the
need to improve adult literacy and numeracy, and the English
skills of speakers of other languages.
The Skills
for Life strategy for improving adult literacy and numeracy
skills for England was launched in 2001, led by the Adult
Basic Skills Strategy Unit (now the Skills for Life Strategy
Unit) within the Department for Education and Skills (DfES),
with a new national curriculum and national tests.
From a base of 2,000 learners in 2001, there are now more
than two million adults studying to improve their basic skills
as a result of Skills for Life. With high targets for achievements,
however, there is considerable pressure to train up sufficient
teachers while encouraging more adults to take up new learning
opportunities and get one of the national awards.
The Leitch Review of Skills in 2006 recommended a great increase in the pace of skills acquisition in order to keep the UK competitive.
Wales, Scotland
and Northern Ireland
have their own strategies to improve adult basic skills.
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